Stafford County Sheriff's Office
NEWS RELEASE
DATE: April 10, 2013

SECOND RABID CAT REPORTED

Stafford, Va. The Stafford County Sheriff's Office is reporting that a second rabid cat has been confirmed in the North Stafford area of Stafford County.

On Wednesday, April 3, 2013 a citizen contacted the Stafford County Sheriff's Animal Control Office about a sick or injured cat that was on her porch on Bruce Street in the Stowe of Amyclae subdivision in North Stafford. The cat was picked up by an Animal Control Officer and taken to an area veterinarian's office. While placing the cat in its carrier to go to the Animal Shelter the Animal Control Officer was scratched.

As the Health Department was notified the cat was quarantined at the Animal Shelter. The cat was euthanized in the following days due to its deteriorating condition. The cat was then sent to the state lab for rabies testing. The Animal Control Office received word today that the cat tested positive for rabies.

This is the second report of a rabid cat in Stafford County in the last two weeks. In the last incident reported on March 24, 2013, a group of feral cats was identified with one of the cats being found to have rabies. All of those cats in the feral group have been captured.

Citizens are reminded to not approach or try to capture stray or wild animals. This message should be shared with children especially with the weather turning warmer and more children outside playing.

Animal owners should always maintain the appropriate vaccinations for their animals and, if possible, keep animals confined to the premises to avoid the threat of rabies.