So, lemme get this straight...The Putnam County Department of Health recognizes rabid feral cats pose a significant public health threat and to combat that has decided to coordinate efforts with cat rescue groups to implement a trap, neuter, return program which will also give the feral cat one rabies shot. One. One. One. One rabies shot and no boosters, no boosters, no boosters does NOT prevent a feral cat from catching and spreading rabies!
Are ya kiddin' me?
Will somebody please tell Putnam County Commissioner of Health Dr. Allen Beals the following.....New York State Law requires cats to be vaccinated against rabies within 4 months of birth AND given a booster shot within the year AND given booster shots every 1-3 years thereafter depending on the type of vaccine for the entire life of the cat! Even a cat that is current with all of those boosters is still required to get yet another rabies booster shot within 5 days of contact with a suspected rabid animal. A cat that is not current with it's booster shots is required by NYS law to be euthanized or quarantined.
True, this NYS law does not apply to feral cats but shouldn't it?!
In the interest of public health, if domestic cats are required by NYS law to have regularly scheduled rabies booster shots and another shot within 5 days of contact with a suspected rabid animal, why then are feral cats not subject to the same laws and guidelines? Do feral cats not need as many rabies shots as domestic cats to protect them, other wildlife, pets, and people from rabies? Do feral cats in a TNR program receive one MAGIC shot that protects them for life from rabies?
The unnaturally existing huge numbers of feral cats in NYS makes it even more crucial for feral cats to be completely protected from rabies because there is a much greater chance they would come in contact with other wildlife, pets, and people! 8-year-old Precious Reynolds who contracted rabies from a feral cat last year in a California schoolyard can attest to that.
