“The best way to avoid potential exposure to rabies is to vaccinate your dogs and cats,” said Freeholder Jeff Pierson. An encounter with a potentially rabid animal can be fatal for your pet--particularly if your pet is not currently vaccinated--and puts your family in danger of being exposed to rabies,” he added. Residents are advised to take precautions when coming into contact with wild animals, particularly raccoons. Rather than approach a wild animal, call your local animal control officer for assistance.
Health Officer, Kevin Thomas stated, “Rabies is a fatal disease in humans and any animal bite should be taken seriously.” The rabies virus is shed in the saliva of animals that are infected with the virus. If an animal bites you, wash the wound, seek medical attention immediately, and notify the Cape May County Department of Health and your municipal animal control agency. If you are exposed to a rabid or suspected rabid animal, you must receive rabies shots as soon as possible to prevent the disease. If your pet has contact with a wild animal, contact your veterinarian and the Department of Health right away.
State law requires all dogs 7 months and older to be licensed with your local municipality and rabies vaccination is a requirement for licensing. Most municipalities also have ordinances for cats. Many municipalities hold free or low-cost rabies vaccination clinics and rabies vaccine is also available from local veterinarians. Upcoming municipal rabies clinics include (call your municipality to confirm):
2017 FREE RABIES CLINIC SCHEDULE FOR CAPE MAY COUNTY
Cape May City March 07, 2017 4pm - 5pm
Cape May Point, &
West Cape May:
West Cape May Public Works
732 Broadway, West Cape May
Dennis Township: January 28, 2017 1pm - 3pm
Public Works
571 Petersburg Road, Dennisville
Lower Township: April 8, 2017 9am – 11am
Public Works
770 Seashore Road, Villas
Middle Township: January 28, 2017 2pm - 3pm
Public Works May 06, 2017 2pm - 3pm
400 W Mechanic Street, CMCH September 23, 2017 2pm - 3pm
North Wildwood March 18, 2017 1pm - 2pm
901 Atlantic Ave
North Wildwood
Ocean City: January 28, 2017 10am – 12noon
5th Street Firehouse
Ocean City
Sea Isle City: March 4, 2017 9am - 10am
Old Public School
4501 Park Rd, Sea Isle City
Stone Harbor: May 20, 2017 2pm - 3pm
Stone Harbor Fire House
175 96th Street
Stone Harbor
Upper Township: January 21, 2017 1pm - 3pm
Shore Veterinary Animal Hospital February 18, 2017 1pm - 3pm
73 Hope Corson Road, Seaville
Woodbine: March 4, 2017 10am – 12:00noon
Woodbine Ambulance Building
Dehirsch Ave, Woodbine, NJ
CITY OF WILDWOOD /WEST WILDWOOD TBA
West Wildwood Public Works/Fire Dept Bldg
For more information on animal rabies, go to: http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/rabies/moreinfo.shtml. To receive information on public health news and local events, “like” the Cape May County Department of Health on Facebook. Rabies Clinic Schedule is also found on the Cape May County Animal Shelter website http://capemaycountynj.gov/186/Vaccinations
Contact: Kevin Thomas, Director - Department of Health
(609) (609) 463-6690