Oldham County Animal Control is a nationally certified animal shelter that provides quality care to stray animals in Oldham County. The director, Barbara Rosenman, is nationally certified in animal control management, and cruelty investigation.

Animal Control enforces state and county laws regarding domestic animals. They also investigate complaints of animal neglect, cruelty, abandonment, nuisance animals and bites or attacks by or upon animals. Unclaimed dogs and cats are available for adoption for a modest fee. All dogs over four months of age must be vaccinated and licensed. Most Oldham County veterinarians sell the county dog license with the rabies tags. Dog licenses can also be purchased at the county shelter. Download a dog license application in printable pdf format here.

Rabies
Rabies is a high profile/low incidence disease. It is a virus that resides in the saliva of infected animals. It is normally transmitted by a bite or exposure to the saliva of dogs, raccoons, foxes, bats, skunks, cats, coyotes, or other carnivorous mammals. Birds and reptiles do not contract rabies. Any mammal could contract rabies but it would be rare or unlikely in rodents, opossums, rabbits, and deer. Small animals like mice, chipmunks, squirrels and rats typically die of the bite wound before the virus can run its course, therefore rendering these species highly unlikely to be rabid. Groundhogs are the only rodent species that does routinely contract rabies.

In other parts of the world dog rabies is a very serious threat to human lives. In Asia and Africa thousands of people die of rabies every year. North America has had widespread rabies vaccination for dogs since the 1940s. It is our compliance with mandatory rabies vaccination that has reduced our incidence of rabies in this country. All dogs, cats, and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies. There are no approved vaccines for wild animals. Raccoons, bats, foxes, and skunks should never be kept as pets or handled by children. Livestock species such as

goats, cattle and horses can contractrabies, and can be vaccinated against it. Livestock normally contracts rabies frombats or skunks. Dead wild animals should be picked up by gloved hands and buried.

Any animal that bites a person must be quarantined for ten days to observe signs of rabies. These signs would include personality changes, lack of appetite, unusual passivity or aggression, and staring vacantly. An animal that is killed following a bite should be taken to a veterinarian so it can be tested for rabies. If you are bitten by any animal that punctures the skin, you should see a physician.

For information on dog bite prevention, click here.

Make a Donation
Oldham County Animal Control Shelter houses over two thousand animals a year. Tax deductible donations are encouraged and are used to provide veterinary care, vaccinations, surgery, and other procedures for animals that would otherwise be put down. All animals in the care of the shelter receive good care, but tax money is not spent on luxuries or extras. Every donated dollar goes directly to help an animal in need. The Animal Shelter also accepts in-kind donations. These are goods that are used on a daily basis.

The shelter can always use: Kitten and cat food Kitty litter Towels and blankets Hard chew toys like Nyla-bones and Kongs Adam’s flea spray Frontline, Revolution or Topspot for flea control Laundry detergent Dish detergent Clorox or bleach Air fresheners/deodorizers

Volunteers

The shelter does not accept volunteers younger than 18 due to liability concerns. Adult volunteers can walk dogs, groom dogs and cats, and assist with other chores. Background checks are performed on volunteers. The shelter also participates in the court ordered community service program.

The shelter also has an indigent care program where people who have lost their jobs or fallen on hard times can receive free animal food/supplies instead of surrendering their pets.