The Putnam County Department of Health is issuing an alert to residents after a feral cat, found in the Peekskill Hollow Road and Tinker Hill Road section of Putnam Valley, tested positive for rabies. The department asks any residents who may have come into contact with this cat (photo attached) to call their office at 845-808-1390 to determine if post-exposure treatment is necessary. Rabies staff can be reached 24/7. The rabies virus is nearly 100 percent fatal once a person begins showing signs and symptoms.

Earlier this week, the unowned cat was safely transported to a veterinarian, where the animal was exhibiting neurological signs of rabies. The health department worked with the veterinarian to determine the need for rabies testing, which was lab-confirmed positive on February 8. This is the second incidence of confirmed rabies in Putnam Valley this year-- and is an important reminder to keep your pets up to date on rabies vaccinations and avoid contact with all wild animals. The Putnam County Department of Health reminds residents that strange behavior in an animal may be a sign of rabies. This includes acting unusually aggressive or tame, excited, irritable, or lethargic.

Residents are reminded to promptly report any animal bite, or contact with a wild animal, to the health department 845-808-1390. After hours or on weekends, rabies program staff can be reached through voice mail by pressing extension number 3. A health department representative will return the call promptly.

The Putnam County Department of Health offers three free rabies pet vaccination clinics a year. The next is scheduled for March 23 from 10am to 12pm, at Veteran’s Memorial Park, in Carmel. The other two clinics occur in July and November. More information can be found at www.putnamcountyny.com/health/rabies.

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Thank you,

Shanna Siegel, RN

Supervising Public Health Educator, Public Information Officer

Putnam County Department of Health

1 Geneva Road, Brewster NY 10509

Mobile: 845-656-4905

Office: 845-808-1390, extension 43258

Fax: 845-278-7921