Kerr County records rabies case in cat that bit citizen

Today, Aug. 14, Kerr County recorded a positive case of rabies in a cat, making it the 14th case of rabies this year.

Kerr County Animal Services was called on Sunday, Aug. 12, with a report of a sick kitten that had bit a property owner. An animal control officer was dispatched to the 3000 block of TX-27 (Memorial Boulevard) and collected the specimen. It was preserved for transport and sent the same day to the zoological lab for testing.

“My office received the results this afternoon that the cat was indeed positive for rabies,” said KCAS Director Reagan Givens.

The person who was bitten was notified of the dangers related to the transfer of rabies, a deadly neurological disease, from mammals to humans and advised to seek immediate medical attention.

So far, Kerr County has posted 14 cases of rabies in 2024, with the most recent case before this one being at the end of May. The viral disease has been found in 8 skunks, 2 raccoons, 2 fox and 1 dog, and, now, this cat. This is not the first time the county has had a rabid cat, Givens said.

“It should be apparent from our high number of cases this year and the locations of where they have been found that it isn’t unusual for these infected animals to be encountered in our neighborhoods – even inside city limits,” Givens said. “Please refrain from feeding or touching all wild animals, including feral dogs or cats.”

Anyone who spots an animal that is behaving abnormally or appears to be sick should make a note of its physical description, its exact location and which direction, if any, it seems to be heading and then call that information into the Kerr County Animal Services office at 830-257-3100. If the call is after normal business hours, then call the information in to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office at 830-896-1216.