Susan Miers Smith: 2 cats found dead in a Berks borough test negative for rabies

Susan Miers Smith, Reading Eagle, Pa.
·1 min read

Apr. 19—The Animal Rescue League of Berks said Tuesday that the two cat carcasses it sent out to be tested for rabies on April 9 and April 13 came back negative for the deadly disease.

The dead cats were found in St. Lawrence while the ARL was trapping, sterilizing and vaccinating outdoor community cats in a large colony there after a cat attacked a man April 5. That cat was euthanized and subsequently tested positive for rabies.

Since the first incident, the ARL has taken in 42 cats from St. Lawrence. Two were the dead felines sent out for testing, four others were euthanized for having wounds of unknown origins and the remaining 36 were part of a trap-neuter-return program.

Jose Joel Delgado-Rivera, the ARL's chief communications officer, said in an email that Savannah Baller, a humane police officer with the ARL's Department of Animal Protection, confirmed 14 new traps were being set in the borough.

Allison Leinbach, St. Lawrence borough manager, said Tuesday that no more suspicious cats or wildlife have been reported.

The ARL is conducting a free rabies vaccine clinic for residents at the borough hall, 3540 St. Lawrence Ave., on April 21 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Leinbach said more than 30 pets were vaccinated at the first clinic held April 12.