The Animal Rescue League (ARL) has received results for a positive rabies case from the Wyomissing Borough near Hill Avenue. An injured brown tabby and white kitten was brought into the ARL of Berks County on Saturday, July 26, 2025, after being found by a resident.

Borough staff is currently working with the ARL and the Pennsylvania Department of Health assessing the exposure to all individuals involved.

As a precaution, residents should be alert for other animals in the area with signs of illness and should not allow their pets outside unsupervised. If you suspect that you have been in contact with an animal infected with rabies, please seek immediate medical attention and follow protocol to contact the Department of Health as advised by medical professionals. If you suspect that an animal is infected with rabies, please contact the animal control provider of your municipality or your local police department and do not approach the animal by any means.

Common symptoms of rabies in animals include general sickness, swallowing problems, excessive drool or saliva, an animal who bites at everything, an animal who appears tamer than you would expect, an animal who is having trouble moving or maybe paralyzed, or a bat that is on the ground.

According to the CDC, rabies is a neurological virus that infects the central nervous system of mammals, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death in 99.9% of human cases if left untreated. Although 90% of reported cases of rabies in animals occur in wildlife–mainly skunks, raccoons, bats, coyotes, and foxes–the virus can be transmitted to dogs, cats, and cattle who have not received a vaccination.

For any pet owners, ensuring pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations, which is legally required, and keeping them away from unfamiliar animals, especially wildlife, is the most effective way to keep pets safe.