Warwick Valley Humane Society urges owners to protect all pets from rabies

WARWICK — The threat is real.
Suzyn Barron, president of the Warwick Valley Humane Society, just reported that a raccoon from Almond Tree Lane in Warwick had been tested positive for rabies.
Not all raccoons carry rabies but they are one of the most common carriers of the disease in the United States.
And the Sullivan County Public Health Services also recently issued an advisory to the public that a fox found in a populated area of Monticello had tested positive for rabies.
The early signs of rabies in raccoons and other wild animals are acting disoriented, seeming partially paralyzed or sick, walking unsteadily or moving without apparent purpose.
"I would like to remind all pet owners," said Barron, "to keep their pets, their dogs, cats and ferrets up to date on rabies vaccinations available at local veterinary hospitals and clinics."
She added that even cats and ferrets, who remain indoors and never go outside, can be exposed to rabies if an animal like a raccoon or a bat manages to get into the house.
And if your pet gets into a fight with a wild animal, you should always wear gloves and other protective clothing when helping it. It's important to avoid contact with the saliva of a potentially infected animal.
"And should your pet bite you out of pain or fear," said Barron, "that pet must be quarantined for six months with only one person able to care for it. It's solitary confinement for six months."
The Town of Warwick requires proof of current rabies vaccination when issuing licenses that are required for all dogs over the age of four months.
For additional information about rabid raccoons visit https://pestkill.org/other/raccoons/rabies or contact the Warwick Valley Humane Society at 986-2473 or www.wvhumane.org.
- Roger Gavan