Rabid cat confirmed on Gow Road

NEWFANE, N.Y. (WIVB) - Release: The Niagara County Department of Health is notifying the public that a rabid cat (approximately 10-12 weeks old) has been confirmed in the Town of Newfane on Gow Road.

The cat is reported to have been dropped off at 7347 Gow Road, and may be one of a litter of cats.

The cat is described as a grayish colored Himalayan or Siamese. It is very important to locate whoever dropped the cat off, the remaining cats of the litter, the mother, and anyone having contact with these cats.

Further, it is important to alert the neighbors of this Gow Road property to the fact that additional feral cats on this property may have contacted the rabid kitten and could also be infected.

Extreme caution is advised not to handle the animals to avoid potential rabies exposure.

Anyone having contact with this cat within the past 2 weeks, and/or having any information about this cat should immediately contact the Niagara County Department of Health at 439-7444 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 439-7430 after hours.

Environmental Health Director James Devald and Rabies Prevention Program Director Fabian Rosati caution that rabies is still present in Niagara County.

Although rabies infection is found primarily in wildlife and bats, it is still possible for domestic animals to contract rabies.

The two public health officials stress that it is very important to have your pets vaccinated against rabies.

The Niagara County Department of Health Division of Environmental Health holds several free rabies vaccination clinics each year for cats, dogs, and ferrets.

The division will hold the next clinic at the Cornell Cooperative Extension located at 4487 Lake Avenue, Town of Lockport 14094 on September 18, 2010.

The residents of Niagara County are advised not to handle any strange and/or sick acting animals, regardless of whether they are wildlife or domestic.

Anyone noting such an animal needs to report it to the local municipality and/or police agency to determine the best way to handle the situation.

Individuals can also contact the Niagara County Department of Health Division of Environmental Health for technical assistance at 439-7444 (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) or 439-7430 (after hours)