More rabies-positive bats are turning up inside DuPage County homes, and the county's animal services administrator wants pet owners to update vaccinations now.

At the Animal Services Committee meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 18, DCAS Administrator Laura Flamion reported a surge in rabies-positive bats discovered inside residences across the county. Her message was direct: every pet needs a current rabies vaccine, even cats and dogs that never go outside.

The stakes are steep. A pet exposed to a potentially rabid animal faces a 45-day quarantine if its rabies vaccination is current. Without a current vaccine, that quarantine stretches to six months with no contact with people or other animals. Because most veterinary hospitals won't board an animal that long, Flamion told the committee, pet owners are often left with euthanasia as the only option.

As of late July, two bats had tested positive for rabies in DuPage County in 2026, and 82 people countywide had been treated for possible rabies exposure, according to the DuPage County Health Department. Health officials say bats are the primary source of rabies in Illinois. The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association reports that 93 to 97 percent of bats will test negative, but advises treating any bat as rabid until a test proves otherwise.

Signs of a potentially rabid bat include activity during daylight, inability to fly, or showing up in unusual spots like lawns or living rooms. Residents who find a bat in their home should never touch it. The health department advises calling animal control for removal and seeking immediate medical attention if bitten.

Free adult cat adoptions Saturday, Aug. 29

The shelter is also dealing with a surge of cats and kittens. Committee Chair Brian Krajewski noted the overflow made that day's front page of the Daily Herald.

To help clear kennels, DCAS will host a feline adoption event on Saturday, Aug. 29, at its Wheaton facility, 2255 Manchester Road. Adult cat adoptions will be completely fee-waived. Kitten adoptions will be half off.

The shelter is also accepting donations of wet cat and kitten food and unscented cat litter. Residents can call DCAS at 630-407-2800 or visit their website for event details.

DCAS is DuPage County's only public animal shelter and operates as an open-admission facility. It currently maintains a 93% live release rate.