Rabies Outbreak in Ocean County, NJ

Point Pleasant Beach plans cat roundup after rabies outbreak

by The Star-Ledger Continuous News Desk

Saturday August 29, 2009, 12:41 PM

Point Pleasant Beach plans to round up feral cats after an outbreak of rabies in a town home to an estimated 300 stray cats, a report in the Asbury Park Press said.

Attacks by cats, including two children in separate incidents, alarmed residents, who expressed concerns in a Wednesday town hall meeting, according to the report. A cat that tested positive for rabies attacked 17-year-old Kenny Pringle in his backyard, the report said.

Officials said they plan to capture stray cats and place them in cages in rented, climate-controlled trailers for 60 days of observation, according to the report. Authorities will kill infected cats, while healthy adult cats will be vaccinated, neutered and returned to their colonies, the report said. Kittens will be put up for adoption.

Council members said the stray cat problem stems from people abandoning pets, and others providing food and water to colonies.

ESI Medical provides pre and post exposure rabies vaccinations at significantly lower pricing than most medical facilities.