Cape May County Government: Cape May County Residents Are Urged To Vaccinate Pets Against Rabies

Press release from the Cape May County Government:

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NJ -- This year, there have been three confirmed cases of rabies found in Cape May County. Today, a skunk tested positive for rabies in the Erma section of Lower Township.

“This is a reminder to all other residents to check your pet’s vaccination and health records and make sure they are current,” said Health Officer, Kevin Thomas. Rabies vaccination for dogs and cats offers a very high level of protection against the virus.

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.

“Protecting your pets by keeping them current on their rabies vaccine is an important buffer between wildlife rabies and human exposure,” said Thomas. “Not only does the vaccine keep your pet safe, but it can help keep you and your family safe as well.”

In addition to vaccinating your pets for rabies, there are several precautionary measures residents can do to protect themselves and their pets:

CAPE MAY COUNTY 2025 FREE RABIES CLINICS

Ocean City

6th Street Fire house January 18, 2025 10am – 12pm

6th & Asbury

Ocean City, NJ

Dennis Township

Public Works January 25, 2025 1pm-3pm

571 Petersburg/Dennisville Road

Dennisville, NJ

Upper Township

Shore veterinary animal hospital January 25, 2025 1pm-3pm

73 Hope Corson Road

Seaville, NJ

Middle Township

Public Works Building February 8, 2025 9:30am-10:30am

400 West Mechanic Street

CMCH, NJ

Upper Township

Shore Veterinary Animal Hospital February 22, 2025 1pm-3pm

73 Hope Corson Road

Seaville, NJ

Borough of Woodbine

Woodbine Ambulance Building March 1, 2025 1pm-3pm

513 DeHirsch Avenue

Woodbine, NJ

Sea Isle City

Community Lodge March 15, 2025 9am-10am

300 JFK Blvd

Sea Isle City, NJ

Cape May City

Cape May Fire house.

712 Franklin St. March 21, 2025 1:00 - 2:00pm

Cape May NJ

Lower TOWNSHIP

Public Works Building April 12, 2025 9:00am-11:00am

771 SEASHORE RD

Cape May, NJ

Middle Township

Public Works Building May 17, 2025 9:30am-10:30am

400 West Mechanic Street

Cape May Court House, NJ

For more information on animal rabies call the Health Department at 609 465-1210, or go to: http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/rabies.shtml To receive information on public health news and local events, “like” the Cape May County Department of Health on Facebook.

This press release was produced by the Cape May County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.