CLARKESVILLE, Ga. – Habersham County Animal Care and Control (HCACC) has confirmed a second rabies case this year after a stray cat tested positive.
According to a county news release, on August 23, HCACC responded to a report on Sunshine Circle in Cornelia about a stray cat acting aggressively. The cat, called “Rider” by residents, had bitten and scratched two people the night before. It was already dead when animal control arrived the release states.
The animal was sent to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory through Habersham Environmental Health. Test results confirmed rabies on Wednesday.
“This is a reminder to check that your pet’s vaccinations are current,” said HCACC Director Madi Nix. She noted that pets are not considered immunized until 28 days after their first rabies shot, and young animals under three months old are especially vulnerable.
Officials urge residents to:
- Keep pets vaccinated and supervised.
- Avoid contact with wild or stray animals.
- Seek medical care if bitten or exposed to saliva from a wild animal.
- Contact a veterinarian if a pet comes in contact with a raccoon, skunk, bat, or fox.
HCACC also advises against feeding unmanaged stray cat colonies unless the animals are vaccinated through a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program. For more information, visit Habersham Animal Control or the CDC rabies page.
