Alabama Department of Health (ADPH) is urging you to make sure your pets’ rabies vaccination is up to date after a rescue cat from in Randolph County has tested positive for rabies. The rabid cat was exposed to multiple people including the owner and the veterinary staff at a Wedowee animal hospital.

The ADPH Bureau of Clinical Laboratories confirmed the cat was positive for rabies on Feb. 23 after the owner sought medical care repeatedly over the course of two weeks. It was finally put down after it developed neurological symptoms and began acting aggressively.

Both county and state health department are investigating and identifying people who was exposed to the rabid cat. Those who have been identified as exposed have begun receiving rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Dee W. Jones said that the health department is working with local medical providers and veterinary hospitals to treat those exposed to rabies.

“This is a bad situation, but thankfully, the local veterinarians were quick to recommend testing, which ultimately has reduced the risk of even more exposure to others and other animals at the rescue,” said Jones.

Dogs, cats and ferrets 12 weeks and older are required to receive their rabies vaccination regularly. Vaccinating animals reduces the risk of rabies infection should your pets be exposed to rabies. It’s important to always report an animal bite to your medical provider. Vaccinations keep you, your pet and their healthcare providers safe.

Rabies prevention has multiple steps to keeping you and your pets safe. Besides keeping up to date on vaccinations, Randolph County residents are encouraged to adhere to the following guidelines:

Do not allow pets to run loose; confine them within a fenced-in area or with a leash.

Do not leave uneaten pet food or scraps near your residence.

Do not illegally feed or keep wildlife as pets.

Do not go near wildlife or domestic animals that are acting in a strange or unusual manner.

Caution children not to go near any stray or wild animal, regardless of its behavior.

To learn more about rabiest prevention, feel free to contact the APDH at 334-206-5969 or visit their website.