Rabid Kitten Found in Township
A Gloucester Township family took in the ill animal, which was later found to have rabies.
Photos
Camden County submitted the following news release:
During the evening of Jan. 1, a Gloucester Township family found an ill kitten on their property. They brought the animal into their residence in an attempt to nurse it back to health. It died the next night, Jan. 2. The Animal Control Officer for Gloucester Township picked up the kitten and arranged for rabies testing on Jan. 3. On Jan. 4, the Camden County Department of Health was notified that the animal had tested positive for rabies.
The entire family was exposed to this animal and will be receiving rabies prophylaxis. The family has two dogs that may have been exposed to the kitten. The dogs are thought to be current with their rabies vaccinations and will be receiving prophylaxis from their veterinarian.
“Although rabies is a serious illness, it can be prevented by early treatment,” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Health Department. “If you have been bitten or scratched by an unfamiliar animal it is important that you seek immediate medical attention.”
Rodriguez urged county residents protect themselves, their families, and their pets from rabies by observing a few simple rules, including acting responsibly as a pet owner:
- Keep vaccinations up to date for all dogs, cats, and ferrets.
- Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately.
- Contact your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood. They may not be vaccinated and could be infected by the disease.
Rodriguez said it’s also important to avoid direct contact with unfamiliar animals:
- Enjoy wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, and foxes from afar. Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or liter.
- Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or an animal rescue agency for assistance.
- Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they seem friendly.
- Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas where they might come in contact with people or pets.
- When traveling abroad, avoid direct contact with wild animals and be especially careful around dogs in developing countries. Rabies is common in developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Tens of thousands of people die of rabies each year in these countries.
Rodriguez said interested residents can learn more about rabies through the Internet by accessing the information available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/ or, residents may call the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services at 856-374-6370.
Big Daddy 1
3:40 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
There are groups of feral cats near us. We need to know where the this kitten was found. The "email author" wasn't working.
rightoo
3:52 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
Agreed, please post any information you may have on the approximate location or general area of where the kitten was found,thank you.
Angela Oberholtzer
4:22 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
I agree with Big Daddy and rightoo...we need to know where this kitten was found....I live in a development who houses a group of feral cats/kittens. I have several of my own animals and would like to make sure that they don't come in contact with those who might be affected.
Tim Zatzariny Jr.
6:08 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
Camden County officials didn't provide specific information about where the rabid kitten was found, or we would have included that in what we published. But, I will double check with them to see if they can say in which section of the township the rabid kitten was found.
Angela Oberholtzer
8:03 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
Thank you!
Michelle Wolfson
10:59 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
I would appreciate that as well. I also live in the development where there is a nearby homeowner housing large groups of feral cats and kittens.
Cindy Anne
11:43 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
There are at least 2 stray cats in my neighborhood, and I'm sure there are more I don't see as often. I am seeing them more now for some reason that it is cold. They drive my dog crazy when they come in my yard. Obviously,we all have to be concerned that these animals can spread disease. How can I get them picked up? I know one of them spends time in a certain rain sewer. Do I call animal control or a feral cat rescue?
Tim Zatzariny Jr.
2:09 am on Saturday, January 5, 2013
Dan Keashen, the spokesman for Camden County, responded to my question. He said the state Department of Health won't provide a specific location where the rabid kitten was found, or even identify the section of the township. If you have concerns, you should call the state Department of Health's Public Information Office at 609-633-7928.
Lynne Valente
11:32 am on Saturday, January 5, 2013
There are several animal rescue groups who trap neuter amd release and manage colonies. If friendly, they are placed in a foster environment and adopted out. Check out facebook and the internet for a rescue group. Animal control takes them to the shelter where they will likely get sicker and sie.
Lynne Valente
11:32 am on Saturday, January 5, 2013
Die*
Big Daddy 1
3:43 pm on Saturday, January 5, 2013
We have a right to know for our safety and the safety of our animals. If Dan Keashen won't tell the people who pay him, then he needs to be fired and replaced by someone who will - immediately. The taxpayers are tired of paying big taxes for people who do nothing.
Blackwood resident
1:11 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
he,he, Big Daddy, your a funny guy. The Soviet of Camden County doesn't care what you think your rights are. Welcome to the Socialist Republic of NJ.
Angela Oberholtzer
4:34 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
The kitten was found in a wooded area at the bottom of Gloucester Township near Sicklerville bordering Winslow. I hope this helps!
Michelle Wolfson
6:52 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Thanks Angela. Do you mind of I ask how were you able to get the information?
Angela Oberholtzer
7:19 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
I called the state number for Dept of Health...the woman there referred me back to Camden County since it was a localized find. I took a shot and called the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services number provided in the article and the nice gentleman who answered the phone, answered my question....
Big Daddy 1
7:24 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Thanks Angela. It's a mystery why they just didn't tell us from the beginning. Because of the danger, we had a right to know.
Head
7:53 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
BD1 - Agreed.
Government in NJ, at all levels, has become an incompetent, bureaucratic, arrogant, inbred embarrassment.
On a related note, i wonder why our eyes and ears, Tim Z Jr., didn't press the issue just a little harder to obtain the information.
Tim Zatzariny Jr.
9:51 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Head, as I stated above, I called Dan on Friday night, after business hours, in attempt to clarify the location. His response to me is reproduced verbatim, above. If you have concerns about how the information was disseminated by the county, you should give Dan a call or email him.
Head
10:10 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Thanks for the response, Tim.
I simply believe that your effort, as a member of the Press, was inadequate.
It seems that you should have found Keashen's response as unacceptable; and either pressed him harder, or continued to pursue an answer through other channels.
It is also possible that I overestimate your role with Patch.
Paul J. DiBartolo
7:11 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
To quote a reliable source, "But hey, who am I to dispute Legend-in-his-Own-Mind Head."
You know, it is possible, Head, that you have completely overestimated your own importance in all matters Patch related...but, hey, you're a legend in your own mind.