Georgia health officials and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office are warning residents to be on guard after discovery of a rabid cat.

Georgia Department of Public Health District 2 officials said a south Forsyth resident rescued a stray kitten and was bitten by the animal, which later tested positive for rabies in a veterinary exam. That person is receiving treatment.

The sheriff’s office said the incident happened near Ga. 9 and McFarland Parkway, and they are warning residents in the area to keep tabs on their pets. They’re also asking anyone seeing oddly-acting animals to call them at 770-781-3087.

District heath officials said in a news release that feral cats born in the wild shouldn’t be treated like domestic animals and that no attempt should be made to capture or feed them. They said anyone finding one on their property should call animal control.

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Angie McBrayer, ex-wife of James Aaron McBrayer, leans her head on her son Sam McBrayer as she and her three children and two grandchildren (from left) Jackson McBrayer, 3, Piper Jae McBrayer, 7, Katy Isaza, and Jordan McBrayer, visit the grave of James McBrayer, Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Tifton. He died after being restrained by Tift County sheriff's deputies on April 24, 2019. His ex-wife witnessed the arrest and said she thought the deputies were being rough but did not imagine that McBrayer would die. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC