A rabid cat was found! Hide your cats, the witch hunt is on!

A woman and her friend were jogging somewhere in Manhattan, NY, and a cat jumped on one of their backs. This cat attacked 4 people in all and 1 dog. Animal control was able to catch it and kill it. They are trying to notify one of the people attacked because she needs treatment within 10 days or she could die. Read more about the story here.

Maybe I am just paranoid because I feed outdoor cats (and have to hide it!) but I feel a witch hunt coming on! One rabid cat in a city of millions of stray cats and now all of these so-called "educated" officials will call for all the heads of the strays. I tried to find the incidence rate of rabies but I am finding all kinds of "rates" depending on how the person who wrote the findings wants to sway it. (Why can't we just have the facts!?) Someone who loves birds (and thinks that cats are responsible for the bird decline instead of human destruction *sigh*) will say that there is a high incidence of rabies so allferal/stray cats should be killed. Someone who feeds ferals might say that there is a low incidence. I don't think there are any accurate findings that we can really rely on.

I have personally known of hundreds of stray or feral cats that come into the shelter and none of them have had rabies. That's not much but it at least tells me that it is not common-in my area anyway. For comparison, the incidence of FIV is anywhere from 1-3%, depending on who is telling you the stats. We have had quite a few FIV+ cats come through the shelter. We have 5 at the shelter right now! So, I have to assume that the rabies risk is pretty low, since we have had NO cats with rabies. We do NOT kill cats with FIV because they can live a very normal life with no problems. Click here to read about FIV.

This is why Trap Neuter Release (TNR) is so important. If you trap or catch a free roaming or feral cat they are vaccinated against rabies when they are fixed! So, when they go back outside, they are not vulnerable to the disease if they happen to get into a squabble with a wild animal.

Low cost Spay/Neuter in Massachusetts-call soon!

Charles River Alleycats will hold a low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinic in Somerville Saturday, Feb. 14. As a Valentine’s Day special, the cost is $65 and includes spay/neuter surgery and rabies shot.
Space is limited and advance registration is required. For an appointment, call 617-244-0200 and leave a message including name, address, telephone, and sex of your cat, or email to charlesriveralleycats_general@yahoo.com. Your call will be returned within two to three days with more information and the location of the clinic.


**If you read this after the date listed, contact the organization/clinic.  Often times, they offer these services on a regular basis.  If not, these clinics may offer the low cost clinics once a month.  You can use the same contact information listed above.**

$10 Spay/Neuter Feb. 25, 26 in Arizona

The City of Prescott and United Animal Friends are hosting a low cost spay/neuter clinic for dogs and cats on February 25th and 26th at the Petco on SR 69 and Walker Rd.

According to Community Planner, Ryan Smith, the cost for dogs will be $10 for either spay or neuter. "The balance of the surgery will be paid from a five-thousand dollar grant awarded by the AZ Companion Animal Spay and Neuter Committee."

The funds, explained Smith, are authorized through the sale of Arizona's "pet-friendly" license plate, which are used to increase spay and neuter efforts in our community. "City staff will be on hand to issue a dog license to anyone who may be interested. Rabies vaccinations will be available for patients undergoing surgery, but not to the general public," he added.

The City of Prescott Animal Control does not intake cats. Therefore, United Animal Friends will offer feline spay and neuter for a fee of $10.

The City works cooperatively with United Animal Friends to meet their goal of No More Homeless Pets, Yavapai County (NMHP). "By increasing the number of animals that are spayed and neutered, we will reduce the number of animals that come into Animal Control and other facilities. That saves lives and tax dollars," said Smith.

Veterinarians and medical facilities are provided by Plateauland Mobile Veterinary Clinic. To schedule an appointment on February 25th or February 26th, please call 928-526-5964 x200.

Hours of operation: Tuesday thru Sunday, 11am to 6pm (closed Monday). Cash is preferred. Income verification and proof of address required.

To order a pet-friendly license plate, click here then click on personalized /specialized plates. Or, call the ADOT Motor Vehicles Division at 800-251-5866.

**If you read this after the date listed, contact the organization/clinic.  Often times, they offer these services on a regular basis.  If not, these clinics may offer the low cost clinics once a month.  You can use the same contact information listed above.**

Low cost rabies vaccine in Virginia Jan 10.

There will be a low cost rabies vaccination clinic, Jan 10- 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Hanover County Parks & Rec Building, 13017 Taylor Complex Lane, in Ashland Virginia.

The clinic offers low-cost ($7.00) rabies vaccination of pets. County dog licenses are available for $6.00. Contact Hanover County Animal Control at 804-365-6485 for more information.



Click here for a map and directions.

$20 spay/neuter for cats, $47 for dogs in North Carolina Jan 7-Call by Dec. 29

LOW-COST SPAY/NEUTER: On Jan. 7, Community Partnership for Pets Inc. is offering spay/neuter surgery and a rabies vaccination for $20 for cats and $47 for dogs. CPPI will be offering a free shuttle to take pets from Hendersonville to the Spay/Neuter Clinic in Asheville. Call 693-5172 to reserve a space by Dec. 29.


Click here to visit their website for more information.


**If you read this after the date listed, contact the organization/clinic.  Often times, they offer these services on a regular basis.  If not, these clinics may offer the low cost clinics once a month.  You can use the same contact information listed above.**