After four months of specialized care and quarantine, the last 33 kittens rescued during the Tavares rabies alert are ready for adoption as Lake County Animal Services prepares to mark World Rabies Day.
In April, a cat in Tavares tested positive for rabies, 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 high-volume trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) initiative. The response also brought over 160 cats, including dozens of sick underage kittens, from the alert area into the shelter’s care. While healthy adult cats were eligible for Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return services, at-risk kittens were placed under a 120-day quarantine following established state procedures to ensure they were ready for adoption and had not contracted rabies.
“We do hard things here to save lives every day,” said Whitney Boylston, Director of Lake County Animal Services. “In this case, we committed to 120 days of special care.”
During quarantine, the kittens were housed separately from other animals and cared for only by staff and volunteers who had received pre-exposure rabies vaccinations. At the State Veterinarian’s recommendation, they also received post-exposure rabies vaccinations and were closely monitored.
Now, the dozens of kittens are being released for adoption in groups as they complete quarantine. Some are already available, while others will be available for adoption on September 15, 17, 21, and 30.
Their story also highlights the importance of rabies prevention. As World Rabies Day approaches, Lake County Animal Services is bringing that message to the community through events focused on vaccination, microchipping, education, and community cat resources.
Pets, People, and Wildlife: Stronger Together – World Rabies Day 2026 will take place Saturday, September 26, from 10 am to 1 pm. Attendees will receive vouchers for free rabies vaccinations and microchipping for their pets, redeemable at the Protect and Connect Clinic on Monday, September 28, from 4 to 7 pm. Those who do not attend the September 26 event can get vaccinations and microchipping for $5 each at the clinic. A free Rabies 101 community cat class will also be held on September 30 at 6 p.m.
From rabies alert response to months of quarantine, Lake County Animal Services continues to prevent rabies, protect the community, and save lives. This World Rabies Day, the message is simple: We are stronger together.
