ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — A cat found earlier this month in Ithaca is rabid.
“The cat is described as a stray or feral female with brown/tabby colored-markings and was reported to have been seen in the Pleasant Grove Road/Hasbrouck Apartments area before, with no reports of any strange behavior until June 9th, when the cat was found on the side of the road, unable to walk,” according to Tompkins County Whole Health.
Testing by the New York State Rabies Laboratory showed the cat was positive for rabies, but there are no reports of any contact with humans.
Health officials also shared the following tips:
- Avoid contact with any unfamiliar cats or dogs and any wild animals.
- All cats, dogs and ferrets must have initial rabies vaccinations administered no later than four months of age. Keep vaccinations current! Check our website for free rabies vaccination clinics, held at multiple times throughout the year. For other free or low-cost rabies vaccine programs, contact the local chapter of the Street Dog Coalition or the Cornell Healthy Pet Clinic held at Ithaca’s Southside Community Center (305 S. Plain St., Ithaca).
- Report the following incidents to Tompkins County Environmental Health at 607-274-6688:
- All animal bites or scratches.
- Any human or pet contact with saliva or other potentially infectious material (brain tissue, spinal tissue, or cerebrospinal fluid) of wild animals or any animal suspected of having rabies.
- All bat bites, scratches, or any mere skin contact with a bat, or a bat in a room with a child, or sleeping or impaired person.
