A cat has tested positive for rabies in the Town of Sangerfield. The cat was sent to the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Center for testing on July 1, 2025, and positive results were reported on July 2, 2025.  One person was exposed to the cat and received post exposure prophylaxis.

Signs of rabies include:

If you see an animal, wild or stray, with these signs, do not approach it and stay away.  If any animal is acting strangely, call your local animal control officer for help. Additional resources include:

Per NYS Public Health Law, all dogs, cats, and ferrets must be vaccinated by 4 months-old and then one year following the initial dose.  Dogs and cats need to receive a booster dose every three years following.  Ferrets must receive booster doses annually. For the safety of pets and the convenience of county residents, the Oneida County Health Department offers Rabies Vaccination Clinics throughout the year in various community locations:

To schedule an appointment for an upcoming Rabies Vaccination Clinic or for more information on rabies prevention, visit oneidacountyny.gov/rabies. If you have questions or are concerned about a possible rabies exposure, contact the Oneida County Health Department at 315-798-5064 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.