LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Following a rabies alert issued by the Florida Department of Health in Lake County after a cat tested positive in Tavares in April 2026, Lake County Animal Services initiated a response that included community outreach and vaccination clinics. More than 160 cats were brought into shelter care from the alert area during this time. While healthy adult cats were eligible for trap-neuter-vaccinate-return services, at-risk kittens underwent a 120-day quarantine as per state procedures.
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Whitney Boylston, director of Lake County Animal Services, stated the commitment to care for these young animals. "We do hard things here to save lives every day. In this case, we committed to 120 days of special care," Boylston said. The kittens were housed separately from other animals, and only staff and volunteers who received pre-exposure rabies vaccinations were allowed to care for them. Under the recommendation of the state veterinarian, the kittens were also given post-exposure rabies vaccinations and closely monitored.
Shelter officials are now releasing the kittens for adoption in groups as they complete their quarantine periods. Some are available now while others will become available on Sept. 17, Sept. 21, and Sept. 30.
In relation to World Rabies Day, the shelter is hosting public events. “Pets, People and Wildlife: Stronger Together – World Rabies Day 2026” is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., where attendees will receive vouchers for free rabies vaccinations and microchipping for their pets. These vouchers can be redeemed at the Protect and Connect Clinic on Monday, Sept. 28, from 4 to 7 p.m., and pet owners who do not attend the Sept. 26 event can still access vaccinations and microchips for $5 each at the clinic. A free Rabies 101 community cat class is set for Sept. 30 at 6 p.m.