On Monday, a cat tested positive for rabies. A spokesman for Wichita Animal Services says the animal was enthanized in order to conduct testing, because it had bitten its owner and had not been vaccinated.
Animal Services employees have canvassed the neighborhood door to door in an area around Lincoln and Woodlawn reminding residents to update their pet's rabies shots. Each year a number of animals, mostly skunks test positive for rabies within the city limits of Wichita.
“If you own a cat or a dog which has not been vaccinated, you are putting your health and the community at risk,” said Kay Johnson, Environmental Services Director.
Animals suspected of rabies infection are submitted for testing to the Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine Rabies Laboratory by the City of Wichita Animal Services or Sedgwick County Animal Control. Records for positive rabies tests for Wichita and Sedgwick County indicate:
· 2007 6 in Wichita (1 bat and 5 skunks)
· 2008 1 in Wichita (cat)
· 2009 7 in Wichita (1 cat, 1 dog and 5 skunks)
Vaccinating your pets protects them from contracting rabies and protects your family. Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that humans can catch by coming into contact with infected dogs, cats and ferrets, as well as wild animals. If you have a pet that has not been vaccinated, it is important that you make arrangements with your veterinarian to have it vaccinated as soon as possible. Rabies vaccinations are required by law in Wichita and in Sedgwick County.
To report animal bites, or if your pet animal comes in contact with a skunk or other wild animal, please call City of Wichita Animal Services at (316) 268-8356 to report the incident. For incidents that occur outside the city limits of Wichita, call Sedgwick County Animal Control at (316) 660-7070.
John Wright