[Archived] Alexandria Health Department Urges Pet Vaccinations Against Rabies

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

For Immediate Release
January 20, 2005
PIO 016-05/rdo

Alexandria Health Department Urges Pet Vaccinations Against Rabies

The Alexandria Health Department and the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria are urging people to “Protect the Ones You Love. Vaccinate Your Pets.” This important message is the focus of the ninth annual Rabies Awareness Week that takes place Jan. 16-22.

“Vaccinating companion animals, such as dogs and cats, against rabies is for their protection as well as the protection of other family members,” said Assistant State Epidemiologist Suzanne Jenkins, V.M.D., M.P.H. “If you care enough to feed them, you should care enough to have them vaccinated.”

“The rabies virus is shed in the saliva of animals sick with the virus, so any animal bite should be taken seriously,” said Dr. Charles Konigsberg, Health Director for the City of Alexandria. “If an animal bites you, wash the wound immediately. Call your physician and an Animal Control Officer immediately.” Likewise, if your pet is bitten by any animal, either domestic or wild, contact your veterinarian and an Animal Control Officer. Animal Control Officers at the Alexandria Animal Welfare League can be reached at 703. 838.4774.

In 2004, six rabid raccoons and one rabid bat were found in the City of Alexandria, and 13 raccoons were found with rabies in 2003. "These cases of rabid raccoons should serve as a reminder to all pet owners of how important it is to properly vaccinate their animals,” said Tara Blot, Executive Director of the Alexandria Animal Welfare League. Both state law and local ordinances require that dogs and cats over the age of four months be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccines can be given as early as three months and one product is approved for kittens at eight weeks. “The Animal Welfare League strongly encourages both dog and cat owners to keep their pets as indoor pets, and allow them outside under supervision only, as a further safety measure,” said Ms. Blot.

In the City of Alexandria, all dogs and cats over four months of age are required to be licensed annually. The deadline for obtaining the annual license is Jan. 31. Proof of a current rabies vaccination is required in order to obtain a pet license.

The Alexandria Health Department advises people to take the following steps to prevent families and pets from being exposed to rabies:

C Vaccinate all cats, dogs and ferrets against rabies and keep the shots up to date.
C Avoid contact with wild animals or stray cats and dogs.
C Do not feed wild animals or stray cats and dogs.
C Report stray animals to an Animal Control Officer.
C Eliminate outdoor food sources around the home.
C Keep pets confined to your property or walk them on a leash.

For more information on rabies, log onto the Virginia Department of Health’s web site at vdh.state.va.us/epi/rabies.htm or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s web site at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/default.htm.

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