Rabies case confirmed in Shackelford County
By Melinda L. Lucas
A case of rabies has been confirmed in Shackelford County, the first one in 2025, after a local resident was recently bitten by a pet cat that later tested positive for the virus, prompting public health warnings from local and state officials.
According to Shackelford County Deputy Sheriff Jason Price, the Texas Department of State Health Services notified the sheriff’s office on Wednesday, May 28, that a submitted sample from a cat had tested positive for rabies. The cat, reportedly a 5- to 6-pound female tortoiseshell, had bitten its owner and was later euthanized at a veterinarian’s office. Its head was sent to Austin for testing.
Price said the cat had been taken in as a kitten and lived as a pet for some time. “The owner told me the cat’s mannerisms started to change — it would be aggressive one moment and normal the next. It was like it had flipped a switch,” he said. “That’s consistent with early stages of rabies.”
Because the cat had apparently bitten more than once, euthanasia and testing were required. Due to a holiday weekend, test results were delayed, but by the time the cat was caught, it was already showing neurological symptoms, Price said.
The infected cat was found in the area near the Rose Addition and Baird Highway (U.S. 283 S), on the outskirts of Albany. Price said authorities believe the source of the rabies infection was a skunk, which had been killed during the daytime around 10 a.m. – unusual behavior that supported suspicion.
“There are always cases of rabid animals in the wild,” Price said. “Foxes and skunks are some of the worst carriers. We’ve had quite a few reports of both, and even raccoons have been seen during the day, which can be a warning sign.”
The sheriff’s office has urged residents to avoid contact with stray or wild animals, and to report any that are behaving abnormally. Those within Albany city limits should contact City Hall; those in the county should call the sheriff’s department.
Sheriff Ed Miller issued a public health notice on May 28, warning that rabies can be a fatal disease and emphasizing the importance of post-exposure treatment for anyone who may have come in contact with the infected cat.
“Anyone who had contact with this rabid cat should contact us immediately,” Miller said. “Rabies is a fatal disease.”
Rabies is transmitted through saliva, typically via bites or scratches, or when saliva comes into contact with the eyes, mouth, nose, or open wounds. Human exposure requires a series of post-exposure shots, which begin at the site of the bite and continue around the wound and in other areas of the body. Treatment must be administered by the health department in Abilene or in an emergency room.
Animal exposure also poses risks. Pet owners should verify that their animals are current on rabies vaccinations – annually in the city and every three years in the county – and consult with a veterinarian if they believe a pet may have been exposed.
Price emphasized that if residents choose to euthanize an animal acting aggressively, they should avoid shooting it in the head, as brain tissue is needed for rabies testing.
“We’re not recommending shooting animals,” he said, “but if you have to stop it from getting away, you may need to do what’s necessary.”
Price also clarified that opossums do not carry or spread rabies.
“We get a lot of calls about possums, but they’re basically harmless. They actually help by eating ticks and mosquitoes,” he said.
The zoonosis division of the Texas Department of Health and Human Services involved in this case monitors diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, such as rabies.
For more information or to report exposure, contact the Shackelford County Sheriff’s Office at 325-762-9555 or the Texas Department of State Health Services at 817-264-4665.
