Rabies Confirmed in Church Hill Feral Cat Colony

Church Hill, MD - Queen Anne's County officials want residents to be careful around stray animals and wildlife. A confirmed case of rabies has been linked to a group of feral cats living on a farm near Kling's Lane in Church Hill.

On October 16, 2026, the Queen Anne's County Department of Health put out a public health advisory. Health officials also reached out to people living close to the farm.

Trapping will only happen within the affected colony, and only when it is needed. Officials say there is no sign right now that the problem has spread across the wider Church Hill community.

County leaders say the risk to the public is still low. Even so, they are asking people to stay alert, mostly in places where cases have been found.

Rabies is a virus that can kill. It spreads when an infected animal bites or scratches someone, or through the animal's saliva.

The good news is that rabies can be prevented. Regular shots for pets and feral cats help keep the public risk low. Anyone who comes into contact with an animal that may have rabies should get medical care right away.

The number of reported cases is still small. The danger remains, though, among wild animals and feral cat colonies that have not been vaccinated.

Officials explained that they do not usually trap animals in areas where no cases have been found. Instead, they look into specific spots of concern to stop the disease from spreading. People who live in those spots are contacted directly.

Health officials say the best protection is prevention and knowing how to respond if you run into an animal that might have rabies. Stay away from stray animals and wildlife, such as raccoons, bats, and foxes. Do not touch them, pick them up, or feed them.

Make sure your pets are current on their rabies shots. Keep any food you leave outside secured so it does not draw animals in.

If you feed a colony of feral cats, officials ask that every cat in the group gets a rabies shot. Local Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs and services can help with this.

If you see an animal acting strange or aggressive, call Queen Anne's County Animal Control at (410) 758-2393. If an animal bites or scratches you, wash the spot well with soap and water and get medical care quickly.

Officials say vaccines are still one of the best tools to keep pets safe and stop rabies from spreading. Pet owners will have a chance to get those shots this weekend.

Queen Anne's County Animal Services will hold a rabies clinic at the Fur Festival on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The clinic runs from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the 4-H Park in Centreville.

Appointments can be made online at www.heart4animals.org. Click Make An Appointment, then choose Vaccine and Microchip appointment to see open time slots.

Anyone bringing feral cats to the clinic is asked to keep them inside a trap. This helps keep the clinic staff safe.