LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — The quarantine began after a cat in Tavares tested positive for rabies in April 2026, prompting the Florida Department of Health in Lake County to issue a 60-day rabies alert.
Lake County Animal Services responded with community outreach, free rabies vaccination clinics and a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return initiative.
The response brought more than 160 cats into shelter care from the alert area. While healthy adult cats were eligible for trap-neuter-vaccinate-return services, at-risk kittens were placed under a 120-day quarantine following state procedures.
Whitney Boylston, director of Lake County Animal Services, said staff made a long-term commitment to care for the young animals.
“We do hard things here to save lives every day,” Boylston said. “In this case, we committed to 120 days of special care.”
During the quarantine, the kittens were housed separately from other animals. Only staff and volunteers who had received pre-exposure rabies vaccinations were permitted to care for them.
On the recommendation of the state veterinarian, the kittens also received post-exposure rabies vaccinations and were closely monitored.
Kittens becoming available for adoption
Shelter officials are releasing the kittens for adoption in groups as they complete their quarantine periods.
Some are available now, while additional groups are expected to become available Sept. 17, Sept. 21 and Sept. 30.
World Rabies Day events planned
The shelter is also hosting public events in connection with World Rabies Day.
“Pets, People and Wildlife: Stronger Together – World Rabies Day 2026” will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Attendees will receive vouchers for free rabies vaccinations and microchipping for their pets.
Those vouchers can be redeemed at the Protect and Connect Clinic on Monday, Sept. 28, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Pet owners who do not attend the Sept. 26 event can receive vaccinations and microchips for $5 each at the clinic.
A free Rabies 101 community cat class is scheduled for Sept. 30 at 6 p.m.
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