Comal County Animal Control and Best Friends Animal Shelter are sponsoring a free rabies clinic for pets from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 22, at 145 David Jonas Dr., New Braunfels.
The clinic is open to the first 300 county residents who show up. Proof of residency is required.
Meanwhile, the City of New Braunfels urges residents to be cautious with unfamiliar animals after New Braunfels Animal Welfare employees recovered a deceased fox that died recently after coming into contact with a woman.
Subsequent testing confirmed rabies, a deadly viral disease transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, often through bites. Rabies affects the nervous systems of mammals, including humans, and is almost always fatal.
Health officials remind the public to be cautious around foxes, raccoons, bats, skunks and stray dogs or cats.
To reduce risk and help prevent the spread of rabies:
- Keep dogs and pets on leashes. Do not allow them to roam freely.
- Avoid approaching or feeding wildlife like foxes, raccoons, bats and skunks.
- Keep pets up to date on rabies vaccinations.
- Secure garbage and pet food to avoid attracting wild animals.
- Avoid contact with bats. If one is inside your home, contain it and contact authorities.
- Seek medical attention immediately for any bites or scratches.
- Do not touch sick or injured animals.
- Report unusual animal behavior.
Signs of rabies in animals may include partial paralysis, difficulty walking, circling or staggering, unprovoked aggression, or unusually tame behavior. If you observe these signs, do not approach the animal.
To report an animal displaying unusual behavior, contact New Braunfels Animal Welfare at 830-608-2183.