First feral cat rabies case in Hempstead since 2016 found

The first feral cat case of rabies in the Town of Hempstead since 2016 was found in Cedarhurst on July 19, and is potentially raccoon-based, according to Supervisor Don Clavin.

The town’s animal control received a call about a feral cat and it was taken to an after-hours technician who sent blood work to the Nassau County Board of Health. A week later, the Board of Health confirmed the cat had rabies.

Clavin along with Councilwomen Melissa Miller and Dorothy Goosby and Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter Head Veterinarian Dr. Jeffery Siegel spoke outside the town’s animal shelter in Wantagh on July 29.

“Our team down here at our town animal shelter do a tremendous job and work very, very hard,” Clavin said. “Individuals went down there and the symptoms were there, it was erratic and not doing well.” 

He urges people to be cautious and not approach any stray animal whether it is cat or dog, and if one bites you take precautions and seek medical attention.

“We don’t want residents to panic, but we want them to be aware that there is an issue in this region,” Clavin said. “This is the first sighting and I hope this is the only sighting of rabies we have here.”

“We’re hoping this is an isolated incident and we’d like to keep it that way,” he added.

Clavin unveiled an expansion to the town’s free rabies clinic. The town runs the clinic in October, where residents can bring their dogs and cats in for a free rabies shot. This year, the free clinic will kick off on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for all residents in Nassau County. 

In all the years of doing trap, neuter, release at the animal shelter, this is the first case that has come back positive for rabies,  Siegel said.

“It’s very important when you see an animal like this, the best thing to do is call the Town of Hempstead, we will make sure the animal receives the attention it needs,” Siegel said.

Infiltration can come in from other counties and towns infecting the animals in Hempstead town.

“Rabies is not only dangerous to an animal but to the residents, let’s be a little bit cautious,” Clavin said.

Miller, who said her family just got a puppy, said a cat jumped on the young dog and scratched it. Rabies can be transmitted through scratches or a bite.

“We’re trying to avoid something like that happening, if you’re walking your dog and it’s friendly and sees a cat, just because the cat is sitting there, doesn’t mean the cat isn’t sick or infected with something,” she said.

To report a stray cat or dog, call the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter at (516) 538-1900.