A spokeswoman for the Cheyenne Animal Shelter is urging dog and cat owners to get their animals vaccinated against rabies if they haven't already done so.

Katie Emmons says their has been a recent upswing in the disease in Laramie County, especially among bats and raccoons. Emmons says it's important that pet owners make sure their animals are vaccinated, even if they are generally indoor animals.

She also urges residents to contact Animal Control if they see raccoons or other wild animals roaming around Cheyenne. Emmons says until about five years ago rabies cases were rare in this area.

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