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North Carolina Department of Human Resources <br /> Division of Health Services <br /> P.O.Box 2091 •Raleigh,North Carolina 27602.2091 <br /> James G. Martin, Governor <br /> David T.Flaherty,Secretary Ronald H.Levine,M.D.,M.P.H. <br /> May 29, 1987 State Health Director <br /> Mr. Bill McKinney ! <br /> Orange County Animal Shelter <br /> 1081 Airport Road <br /> Chapel Fill, North Carolina 27514 <br /> Dear Mr. McKinney: <br /> Recently you asked that I give you a written notice of my views as North <br /> Carolina's Public Health Veterinarian on the incidence of rabies cases as well <br /> as animals, especially cats, wearing identification tags. I hope that this <br /> letter satisfies your purpose. <br /> The increase of diagnosed rabies cases in the United States and the <br /> Southeast in particular has been alarming. Rabies has been diagnosed <br /> in wildlife due to their lifecycles. While the chances of a g prom in <br /> contact with a wild animal increases as we pitatn coming in <br /> chances of a dog or cat coming in contact withhone tistmuch higher. Vaccination <br /> of dogs and cats is a proven effective method of preventing rabies in those <br /> vaccinated Tanimalethat the <br /> of a contracting rabies from a <br /> rabid animal.. <br /> Enclosed you will find a computer printout of the diagnosed cases of <br /> rabies for the Southeast. You will notice that in all states experiencing <br /> rabies in dogs and cats, with the exception of Tennessee, more cats had rabies <br /> than dogs. This is probably due to their natural hunting instinct coupled with <br /> their innate curiosity. <br /> I feel that a county is justified in asking that animals wear <br /> identification that allows the county to find the owner of that animal. The <br /> North Carolina rabies tag serves that function in addition to showing the <br /> animal's vaccination status for rabies. There are various collars that are <br /> designed for cats that will either "break-away" or stretch to allow for the <br /> animal's escape if trapped by the collar. <br /> Mr. McKinney, if you have any questions please call me at (919) 733-3410. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Lee Hunter, D.V.M. <br /> Public Health Veterinarian <br /> Environmental Epidemiology Branch <br /> LI-I t km <br /> Enclosure <br />