A word of warning for readers in Tennessee and adjacent parts
of other states:
According to a TV news report last night (WHBQ-TV, Memphis),
rabies cases in Tennessee are on the increase.  State
rabies-control officials say that these days, humans are at
greatest risk from cats rather than dogs for two reasons:
  (1) State law is strict about having all dogs vaccinated
  against rabies, but either doesn't require that cats be
  vaccinated or just doesn't enforce the requirement (I don't
  know which, never asked...Meko gets vaccinated regardless.)
  (2) Many communities have laws that require owners to keep
  dogs inside the house, in outdoor pens or other enclosures,
  or on leashes at all times; but cats are exempt from these
  leash laws, which makes it more likely that they will come
  into contact with infected animals.
Rabies vaccinations for all dogs and cats in the U.S. are an
absolute must, IMHO.  Additionally, pet-owners who live in
areas where rabies is a problem need to take the disease into
consideration in providing a home for their pets.  Because of
their size and their tendency to patrol a territory, cats may
be more vulnerable to attack by rabid animals than dogs.
Vaccination may protect your pet from contracting the disease,
but rabid animals sometimes attack viciously and without
provocation.
I was considering giving Meko-kitty free run of the property,
perhaps even installing a cat door for her.  But I already
see skunks, opossums and rabbits around here, and I don't
know which of the neighborhood cats are vaccinated...or even
which ones actually belong to anyone.  Looks like Meko will
remain a primarily-indoor kitty, and will get to go out only
for short periods under close supervision; while she has her
claws (and knows how to use them), she's also only six pounds
and no match for a larger or rabidly-vicious animal.
Walter, wluffman@usit.net    CompuServe: 74721,3464
... Animals are your friends.  But they won't drive you home.
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