"Love Your Own, Leave Others Alone"
Salisbury, MD – A Feral cat was found in Pittsville in the area of Friendship Road which tested positive for rabies. Environmental Health Officials in Wicomico County are reminding residents to stay away from feral cats and other stray animals posing a serious public health threat to both humans and domestic animals. Feral cats may carry and spread diseases such as Rabies, Cryptosporidiosis, Giardiasis, Toxoplasmosis, Bartonellosis (cat scratch fever) and Salmonellosis. These diseases are known to cause serious illness and in some cases, if left untreated, are fatal.
The feral/stray cat population in Wicomico County is similar to that of many other neighborhoods across the nation dealing with this issue. Residents are urged to consider a few pro-active steps to reduce the number of feral cats in their neighborhood and protect themselves, their family and their pets.
Please keep the following tips in mind:
- Avoid all contact with wild or stray animals;
- Teach children to leave unfamiliar animals alone;
- Vaccinate pets-Maryland law requires that all dogs, cats, and ferrets, 4 months of age and older have a current rabies vaccination;
· Avoid feeding pets outside - do not leave food or water outside;
· Secure outside garbage lids
To report abnormal animal behavior, please call Animal Control at the Wicomico County Humane Society: (410) 749-7603. All animal bites or scratches should be reported to the Wicomico County Health Department (410) 546-4446.
4 comments:
Cats are the biggest know carrier of rabies in the area. Please save yourself a lot of hassle and worry and don't pick up that cute stray kitten. Happened last year, kitten died and entire family had to get the rabies shot. Keep all pets current and now it's being recommended for pets that spend time unsupervised outdoors yearly rabies vaccine. Everyone needs to get onboard with this until rabies are under control again. If you are exposed to rabies and not treated you will die.
The other problem with this is like in my neighborhood in Parsonsburg - you don't have to approach any stray animal! They are taking over! They take possession of your property - and ANIMAL CONTROL is a JOKE!!!! You call them and they won't do anything!
Animal Control cannot legally trap cats. They are considered "free roaming" in Wicomico County. Your best option is to just keep your distance and do not feed them. Educate your children and vaccinate your pets.
Yes, you must keep your pets (dogs and cats) vaccinated and teach your children to stay away from cats that are crawling all over YOUR property. If it was a problem with a raccoon, rat, dog or some other animal, you would have some recourse. But, no, cats rule here in Wicomico. Crazy, isn't it?
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