St. Joseph Animal Control and Rescue received confirmation that a bat submitted to the State Laboratory tested positive for the rabies virus.  The bat had been impounded from  a residence on the east side of town.

Due to the possibility of a potential exposure to  domestic animals in the residence, the bat was submitted to the lab for testing.  This is  the first positive rabies case in St. Joseph this year.

Animal Control and Rescue Officials state that this should serve as a good reminder to  have your pets vaccinated against rabies.  If the pets in this case had not been  vaccinated for rabies they would have had to be either confined for six months or  euthanized immediately and sent to the laboratory for testing.

Animal Control and Rescue Officials advises the public to avoid contact with wildlife.  If a bat enters the residence it is recommended that the residents keep their domestic animals away from it and contact Animal Control and Rescue for removal.

Animal Control and Rescue, with the participation of local veterinarians and Friends of  the Shelter, began their annual city‐wide rabies vaccination clinics this past week.  There  are two additional clinics scheduled for this week; one at Skaith Elementary School on Tuesday, May 17th   and the last clinic at Mark Twain Elementary School on Thursday,  May 19th.  Both clinics are scheduled from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.