A community cat found in the Westwood Avenue area of Bogart near the Athens-Clarke County and Oconee County line tested positive for rabies, according to an announcement from the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Animal Services Department on Mar. 10.
The confirmation of rabies in a local animal is significant because rabies is almost always fatal if not treated promptly after exposure. The disease can be transmitted to humans and other animals through bites or scratches, making public awareness and preventive measures important.
An officer responded to a report of an aggressively behaving cat on March 8 and captured a white domestic shorthair with tabby spots. After observing its behavior, Animal Services staff sent the cat for testing at the University of Georgia, where it was confirmed as rabies positive. Symptoms of rabies in animals may include fear of water, excessive salivation, failure to eat or drink, limping, unusually friendly or aggressive behavior, and atypical behaviors such as nocturnal animals appearing during daytime hours. The department said that any person who interacted with a white cat with brown tabby spots in the Westwood Avenue area should contact their healthcare provider for guidance. Pet owners whose animals may have had similar interactions are advised to consult their veterinarian.
Residents are reminded to ensure pets are current on rabies vaccinations and to report stray or wild animals acting aggressively or unusually by contacting Animal Services at 706-613-3540 or calling 911 in emergencies. Additional information about rabies can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (www.cdc.gov/rabies), the Georgia Department of Public Health’s website (dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/rabies), or by calling the Georgia Poison Center at 800-282-5846.
The City of Athens manages facilities including the restored Morton Theatre according to the official website. It provides unified public services as a consolidated city-county government according to the official website, extending governance across Athens and Clarke County in Georgia according to the official website. Municipal services delivered by Athens include management of parks, facilities, and community programs according to the official website. The city also supports historic preservation through facilities such as Morton Theatre, which was restored and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1910 according to the official website.
As authorities continue monitoring potential exposures related to this incident, residents are encouraged to remain vigilant regarding animal health concerns within their neighborhoods.
