Cat in Abilene tested positive for rabies

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Abilene Animal Services is notifying residents who live by 6600 South 3rd about a domesticated cat captured and testing positive for rabies. The event occurred on December 11, and the animal services reminded the community to exercise caution in that area.

The Abilene Animal Services reminds residents how important it is to vaccinate animals against rabies and ensure they are vaccinated yearly.

According to Abilene Animal Services, signs of rabies in animals include abnormal behavior, such as nocturnal animals being active during the day, approaching humans or other animals, difficulty with movement, and unusual sounds.

The animal services also note that if a wild animal allows you to approach or handle it, it is likely ill or injured and will bite in self-defense.

Abilene Animal Services provides these tips in regards to rabies:

• Do not feed, handle, or touch wild animals such as bats, skunks, and raccoons.
• Teach children to stay away from wild or deceased animals.
• Do not allow pets to roam freely, as this increases their chance of exposure.
• Keep your pet’s rabies vaccination updated.
• Contact a veterinarian immediately if your pet is bitten or scratched by a wild animal.
• Talk to a physician immediately after possible rabies exposure.
• Report all animal bites to animal control authorities. The biting animal must be quarantined or tested for rabies.