The San Saba Citizens Rabies Task Force met Wednesday, December 28th and January 5th to discuss various options regarding the containment and reduction of the potential spread of rabies into the feral cat communities within the City. The Task Force findings and recommendations were presented during the January 10th City Council meeting by Scott Meador Animal Control Officer for San Saba. The primary recommendation was to depopulate the feral cats in our city, through the enforcement of the current city ordinance 2009-19, which was enacted in 2009. Mr. Meador states, “We have very specific ordinances in effect, and due to the current significant rabies concerns, it is time we enforce them. There will be a few weeks for pet owners to comply with the ordinances, strict enforcement will begin effective February 15th.” To confirm why this is necessary, Mr. Meador cited statistics provided through the Region 7 Texas Department of State Health Services. “During the World Rabies Day Conference held September 28th in Temple, Texas, Beverly Nix Region 7 Director and her staff established that Texas, and Region 7 covering Central Texas in particular, was leading the nation in confirmed rabid animal cases. She further noted that given this years trend, confirmed rabies cases are expected to increase by more than 170% from 2010 to 2011.” Mr. Meador continues, “The animal group providing the greatest potential rabies threat to our citizens and domestic pets are feral cats, the non registered, non vaccinated cat population prevalent in San Saba.”Current San Saba city ordinances scheduled to be strictly enforced beginning February 15th require (1) All domestic pet owners within the city limits to have their pets registered with the city (annual $10.00 fee), (2) Vaccinated against rabies ($13.00 locally), (3) Have these tags on a collar that is worn at all times. [The collar allows for law enforcement personnel to quickly identify the animal as a domestic pet.] (4) Additionally the ordinances provide for protection from stray, at-large or nuisance animals, including cats. Which means pets must be controlled and their movements restricted. Mr. Meador concludes “Our desire is to humanely manage the feral cats, limit the rabies exposure threat and at the same time get domestic animals back to their owners as quickly as possible. This can only be accomplished through public education and cooperation with local law enforcement. I am asking each citizen to help with this public health threat, no one deserves to become infected with rabies due to inattention to this issue.”