The Florida Department of Health is warning residents to vaccinate their pets and avoid contact with wild and stray animals.

A rabies alert was issued earlier this month in Hillsborough County after a stray cat, which had bitten several people, tested positive for rabies.

A case of rabies was also confirmed in a raccoon in Sarasota County in January.

Remember these tips to protect yourself, family members, and pets:

• Immunize your pets and livestock based on your veterinarian’s recommended schedule.
• Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash, and keep livestock secured on your property. If an animal bites your pet or livestock, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately.
• Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract them with outdoor pet food, open garbage cans, or other sources of food. If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention, and report the injury to your county health department.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home; instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
• Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood. 
• Prevent wildlife, including bats, from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, schools, and other similar areas where they might come in contact with people and pets.

For more information on rabies, please visit FloridaHealth.gov/Rabies

In 2024, FDOH tracked 110 confirmed cases of rabies in the state.

The most common carrier of rabies for the year: Raccoons, with 49 cases. Bats were the second most common carrier, with 30 cases. In 2024, Florida also reported 12 rabies cases in cats; 12 rabies cases in foxes; two cases in skunks; and one case of rabies each for bobcats, coyotes, dogs, goats and otters.

Big Lake area counties of Okeechobee, Glades, Hendry and Palm Beach had no rabies cases reported in 2024. Rabies cases were reported in neighboring counties: Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Highlands Osceola and Collier.