3 people treated after being bitten by infected stray cat in Quebec
Posted July 31, 2026 10:05 am.
Last Updated July 31, 2026 4:38 pm.
Three people have received preventive rabies treatment after being bitten by a stray cat infected with rabies in Quebec’s Montérégie region, public health officials confirmed Thursday.
The cat was found in Godmanchester, about 75 kilometres southwest of Montreal on July 23. It is Quebec’s first confirmed case of raccoon rabies in a domestic cat, according to the province’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Montérégie public health says the three individuals received post-exposure prophylaxis, the treatment used to prevent rabies after potential exposure to the virus.
Officials say the treatment is “practically 100 per cent effective” when administered promptly after exposure.
The ministry is reminding anyone bitten or scratched by a suspected rabid animal, or who comes into contact with its saliva, to wash the affected area with soap and water for 15 minutes and call Info-Santé 811 immediately.
As of July 29, Quebec has confirmed 118 cases of raccoon rabies, primarily in the Montérégie and Eastern Townships regions. Pet owners are also being urged to ensure their animals’ rabies vaccinations are up to date.
CityNews spoke to veterinarian Dr. Sophia Skoulikas with the Liesse nimal clinic in Dorval about what pet owners need to know about the disease.
CityNews: When an animal is infected with rabies, what are some of the warning signs that maybe people should be looking out for? How can they tell if an animal may be at risk?
Skoulikas: “An animal that’s infected by rabies is an animal that’s going to show signs of disorientation because rabies is a virus that affects the neurological system. So disorientation, aggressivity, excessive salivation, an animal just not looking right. Hopefully (pet owners) know that their animal was bitten and they could get appropriate treatment because once those signs manifest, there is no treatment and it’s a fatal disease.”
CityNews: If someone is bitten or scratched, like in the case we just mentioned, by an animal they suspect could have rabies, what should they do?
Skoulikas: “Right away, they need to wash the wound for 15 minutes under running water. They need to get to a hospital right away and the hospital or the doctor will contact the appropriate authorities for them.”
CityNews: What are the best ways for pet owners to protect their animals from rabies?
Skoulikas: “The best ways to get them up to date for their vaccines — cats included. Cats that even just stay on the balcony need to have their rabies vaccines because they could be in contact with a bat. Also, if you have cats that are just roaming, I would advise against (letting them roam) just because sometimes you won’t even see a bite wound until it’s too late.”
