Marion County residents, keep your pets close and your trash cans secured!
The Florida Department of Health in Marion County (DOH-Marion) has issued a rabies alert after a raccoon in the Anthony area off Northwest 100th Street tested positive for rabies on May 21, 2024. The alert, which spans 60 days, covers an area bounded by County Road 329 to the north, State Road 326 to the south, North U.S. 441 to the east, and Northwest Gainesville Road to the west.
DOH-Marion urges all residents and visitors to be on high alert and avoid contact with wild animals such as raccoons, bats, foxes, and coyotes. They recommend immunizing pets and livestock, keeping them supervised, and securing all potential food sources that might attract wild critters.
If you encounter a suspicious animal or if your pet is bitten, seek immediate veterinary and medical assistance and report the incident to Marion County Animal Services at 352-671-8727. For more rabies prevention tips and information, visit FloridaHealth.gov/Rabies or call DOH-Marion at 352-629-0137.
