Written By: Lynne Beck
The Guilford County Department of Public Health is alerting residents that a fox found on Blue Heron Trail in Greensboro tested positive for the rabies virus on August 15, 2012.
This is the fourteenth case of confirmed animal rabies in 2012. The fox exposed one human and one dog. The human is undergoing treatment. The dog was current on its rabies vaccination. It received a booster shot.
North Carolina law requires that all domestic pets (cats, dogs and ferrets), whether living inside or outside, age four months or older be vaccinated. Even animals that are confined in outdoor fenced areas should have current rabies vaccinations, because wild animals can get into these areas and attack your pets. Pets that do not have current rabies vaccinations and come in contact with a rabid animal must be euthanized or confined at the owner's expense for at least six months at a veterinary facility.
Rabies continues to circulate within our wildlife population. The easiest and most cost effective way to protect your family and your pet's safety is to vaccinate your pets against rabies. In an effort to increase rabies vaccinations and protect pets throughout the county, Guilford County Animal Control is continuing their 2012 rabies clinics.
Rabies vaccinations will cost five dollars ($5.00) and will protect your pet for one calendar year. A new feature for this year's clinics will be that if a veterinarian is on site and a person brings their pet's vaccination certificate from last year, a three rabies vaccination can be obtained for an additional cost.
Rabies clinic locations include:
Saturday, August 25, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Fire District #28, 6619 NC 61 North,
Gibsonville, NC 27249
Saturday, September 29, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Pleasant Garden Town Hall, 4920
Alliance Church Road, Pleasant Garden, NC 27313
Saturday, October 6, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Oak Ridge Town Park, 6231 Lisa Drive,
Oak Ridge, NC 27310
The public should report stray animals, animals acting strangely or exposures to sick animals to Animal Control at (336) 641-5990 in Greensboro or (336) 883-3224 in High Point. If a person is bitten, he should wash the area immediately with soap and water, seek immediate medical attention and report the bite to local Animal Control Officers.
For more information or to schedule an educational program, please contact the Guilford County Department of Public Health at (336) 641-7777, Guilford County Animal Control at (336) 641-5990 or visit www.guilfordhealth.org
The Guilford County Department of Public Health