06/18/2026
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PUBLIC HEALTH NOTICE — CITY OF MERRITT ISLAND
The City of Merritt Island would like to address reports that a raccoon in the Catalina Isles area has tested positive for rabies.
This is a serious public health matter.
It is also deeply disappointing, as the raccoon community was already on thin ice due to trash can violations, attic trespassing, pool screen misconduct, and several unresolved incidents involving stolen cat food.
CITY FINDINGS INCLUDE:
* one raccoon reportedly testing positive for rabies
* residents in Catalina Isles being advised to use caution
* several outdoor cats now looking like they have seen classified information
* one trash panda bringing shame upon the entire raccoon delegation
* and the Raccoon HOA immediately issuing a statement denying responsibility
OFFICIAL RACCOON HOA STATEMENT:
The Raccoon HOA has informed the City that it “accepts no liability, legal responsibility, moral burden, neighborhood blame, or emotional accountability” for the infected raccoon.
According to their statement, the raccoon in question was “not current on dues, not approved for canal-side activity, and not authorized to represent the broader raccoon community.”
Despite this denial, the Raccoon HOA has agreed to fully cooperate with the City, animal control, and public health officials.
This cooperation includes:
* avoiding unnecessary trash can raids
* suspending all attic entry permits
* discouraging raccoon gatherings after dark
* pausing all neighborhood intimidation tactics
* and reminding members that foaming at the mouth is not an acceptable form of community engagement
OFFICIAL CLARIFICATION:
Rabies is not something to play with.
Residents should not approach, feed, pet, negotiate with, argue with, photograph up close, or attempt to “reason with” any raccoon acting strange.
This includes raccoons that appear:
* overly friendly
* unusually aggressive
* disoriented
* sick
* fearless
* staggering around
* or acting like they just got removed from a Waffle House
RESIDENT GUIDANCE:
Residents in and around Catalina Isles are encouraged to:
* keep pets indoors or supervised
* make sure pets are current on rabies vaccines
* avoid contact with wild animals
* secure trash cans
* do not feed raccoons
* report suspicious wildlife behavior to the proper authorities
* and stop leaving cat food outside like you are running a raccoon buffet with no health inspection
The City also reminds residents that raccoons are not outdoor pets, neighborhood mascots, porch friends, or “just little guys.”
They are masked goblins with hands.
ADDITIONAL MEASURES NOW IN EFFECT:
Due to the situation, the City will now be monitoring:
* suspicious raccoon behavior
* Catalina Isles trash can activity
* unauthorized wildlife meetings
* raccoons walking with too much confidence
* residents saying “but he looked friendly”
* and any Raccoon HOA member attempting to flee toward Sykes Creek with medical paperwork
The Mayor remains optimistic.
Gator Chief Ivey confirms the Raccoon HOA is cooperating fully, but several board members have already requested legal counsel and a fresh bag of Doritos.
— Office of the Mayor
City of Merritt Island
