Rabies a risk for strays, pets
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- March
- 16
I was intrigued by a Page 3A brief in today’s Journal News about two Sneden’s Landing residents spotting some mystery animal. Here’s the LoHud version. Now, the LoHud story chat has settled on it being a coyote, which have a history of populating the Palisades area. But other possibilities range from bobcat to plain old stray black Lab.
This got me thinking about the wildlife that populates even the most densely developed parts of Rockland, from raccoons to skunks. And, the feral cat. The county’s full of them. And they are all suseptible to rabies—and yes, rabies is always present in Rockland. Ask any veterinarian.
Feral cats aren’t always considered a natural “vector” for rabies, like raccoons, but because of their proximity to wildlife and people, they pose a big threat. The best protection is keeping your distance from an animal that’s aggressive. Really, if you don’t know an animal, keep your distance.
There’s another risk: Your cat and dog. Make sure they are vaccinated, and all vaccinations are up-to-date. Dogs break off leash sometimes, or dig under the fence. Cats that are usually indoors slip out. It’s not worth the heartbreak, and the danger, if something goes wrong.
So, back to our mysterious creature roaming around southeastern Orangetown—what do you think it is?
This entry was posted
on Monday, March 16th, 2009 at 4:50 pm by Nancy Cutler.
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Nancy, feral cats also may be carrying FIV. Feline Aids.
which if they bite your pet will be infected. Call up a rockland vet. we just found out it has become very pervalent.
we are not cat owners but our friends are, and discovered a stary they brought in had it and how rampant it has become in the area.
as for a mystery creature. Does it matter?
it could be the bear that was in suffern…
pervalent/prevalent.
Yes, Feline AIDS is a big risk for feral and domestic cats. Rabies is a risk for just about every mammal, including people.
I guess the mystery animal could be a bear, but I think it’s too small (I recall several years ago, when I was asst. metro editor, going out to Pearl River in the middle of the night to write about a bear cub that was running around the hamlet.) It’s important because people and certain animals don’t live well together, and finding out what kind of animal can help lead to a safe and sane way to protect all species, including us.
well there’s an animal thats lives in new hampshire that looks like a small bear. They call it a “fisher” cat but it isnt really a cat. weasel family actually. and can be fund upstate New York.
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/Wildlife_profiles/profile_fisher.htm
fund/found