Rabid Cat Bites Wichita Woman

She forgot about it until the city contacted her Tuesday to say the cat tested positive for rabies. "I've just been exposed to it, they hope I don't have it I guess. I hope I don't have it too," Hamm said.  Hamm is now going through a series of five rabies shots. She says they don't hurt at all, and she feels fine.

But she wants to encourage pet owners to vaccinate their animals, because that's the only way they can be protected.

"We certainly don't want anyone to be alarmed or scared, but pet owners do need to be aware and alert to the fact that rabies is present in our community. It is a fatal disease, if you get sick with it, you won't survive it, and it's very easily preventable. All it takes is an annual trip to the vet with your pet and have them vaccinated," said Don Henry with Wichita's Animal Services.

Wichita and Sedgwick County require all pets get vaccinated for rabies annually. Contact your veterinarian about getting the shot.

Six other animals have tested positive for rabies in Wichita this year; one was a dog, the other five were skunks. Officials with the Wichita Department of Environmental Services are reminding you to make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies, you don't let your pets run loose and to never feed or approach strange animals.

To report animal bites, or if your pet animal comes in contact with a skunk or other wild animal, please call City of Wichita Animal Services at (316) 268-8356. 

For incidents that occur outside the city limits of Wichita, call Sedgwick County Animal Control at (316) 660-7070.

More Online:

• Early Signs of Rabies in Cats
  
• Rabies Frequently Asked Questions (CDC)