GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - Mesa County Animal Services announced Thursday it has trapped a bat near downtown Grand Junction that tested positive for rabies. Now they're asking residents to keep themselves and their pets safe from the deadly virus.

This year, 19 wild animals in Colorado have tested positive for rabies. Although human cases are extremely rare, they are 100 percent fatal once a person begins to develop symptoms -- which is why officials say it's better to be safe than sorry.

1931 -- that's the last time a human in Colorado was diagnosed with rabies. But many more since then, both two legged and four legged, have been exposed to the virus, which attacks the nervous system.
An easy fix to that problem -- a simple shot for your dog or cat.

"We want to make sure that the animal is safe because they're the buffer between people getting rabies and wildlife," said Penny McCarty, Mesa County Director of Animal Services.

"Most of us veterinarians, unless you're in a very high incident area, recommend that every three years they come in and get a vaccine," said Dr. Aimee Johnson, a veterinarian at Creature Comforts Animal Hospital.

Dr. Johnson says although she doesn't see a lot rabies cases in pets locally, it's imperative pet owners keep up with the vaccinations -- even if their animal is an indoor pet.

"There are cases out there where rabid bats or other animals have come into the house and actually bitten an animal or human," said Dr. Johnson. "So you always want to make sure those animals are protected."

Vaccinating your pets against rabies is required by law. It can also save you a lot of grief and money.

"If your pet is exposed to rabies and they're not vaccinated, they have to be quarantined at a veterinary clinic or at a shelter for 90 to 180 days, depending on the situation," said McCarty.

The average cost of a rabies vaccine is $30. The average cost of a 90 day quarantine stay is $900.

If you get exposed to rabies, the costs continue to pile up.

"You have to go through a series of shots that are costly, painful, and uncomfortable for everyone," said Dr. Johnson.

Animal Services says it's seen a spike recently in the number of animals it's having to quarantine because they're not vaccinated against rabies.

Officials say bats, skunks, and raccoons are the primary carriers of rabies. If you or your pets get bitten or come into close contact with any of them, you are urged to call your doctor / vet and get checked out immediately.