FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lee County Animal Services
Contact:    Ria Brown, Public Promotions Specialist
                (941) 432-2090 Ext. 241

Lee County Health Department
Contact:    J. Robert South, Ph.D., M.P.H., PA-C-Epidemiologist
                (941) 332-9657

Fort Myers, Florida, 5/25/01—Lee County Animal Services and the Lee County Department of Heath urge all pet owners to vaccinate their pets against rabies immediately if they are not current. This message follows three separate incidences this week, where raccoons attacked two dogs and a cat. One of the raccoons is being tested for rabies but the other two raccoons could not be found. The two animals attacked by those raccoons require a six-month quarantine to insure that they have not been infected with the rabies virus. Rabies is a fatal virus, which attacks the central nervous system and can affect all mammals including humans.

Vaccinated animals are protected against rabies and only need to receive a booster following an attack. Unvaccinated animals have no protection against the fatal disease and therefore pose a health risk to other animals as well as to humans. Lee County Ordinance 98-10 requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets four months of age or older to be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian. Pet owners should check with their veterinarian if they are unsure whether their pets’ vaccinations are current.

Animal Services and the Health Department recommend that citizens and their pets avoid any stray animals and all wildlife. Florida animals that carry rabies include bats, bobcats, cats, cows, dogs, foxes, horses, otters, raccoons, and skunks. All strays should be reported to Lee County Animal Services. Wild animals on private property can be discouraged by removing any potential source of attraction such as open garbage cans and pet food left outside.

For more information about rabies, how to avoid an animal bite, or to report a bite, contact Lee County Animal Services at (941) 432-2083.