SAN RAMON -- Dozens of people are undergoing rabies shots after coming into contact with a stray kitten that had the deadly viral disease.

At least 60 people were known to have touched the animal, which wouldn't have attracted so many admirers if it wasn't so cute, said James Delano, a veterinarian at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center, where the 3-month-old cat was later euthanized.

"Everyone loves a kitten," Delano said.

The kitten was found on the street Oct. 11 and taken to a home, where it was kept as a family pet. The next day, the family took the kitten to Bishop Ranch for a check-up, which found it to be a little dehydrated and have worms but otherwise OK, said veterinary hospital administrator Margaret Urquhart.

About a month later, the family returned because the kitten had a fever and was acting strangely.

"While it was in the hospital, it started exhibiting more and more neurological signs," including having difficulty walking and becoming easily agitated, Urquhart said.

Hospital employees decided to euthanize it Nov. 20 and send its brain to county health officials for an analysis. The rabies test came back positive.

People can get rabies if they come in contact with an infected animal's saliva -- usually from a bite, and more rarely if the animal licks open wounds or saliva gets into mucous membranes in the eye, mouth or nose.

Rabies is rare in domestic animals. Last year, 184 animals in California tested positive for rabies, which affected mostly bats and skunks. Only two cats and one dog were found with the disease.

County health officials decided 35 people at the veterinary center should receive rabies shots, including one who was bitten by the kitten. At least 26 people, identified by the family, are also undergoing shots, said Sirlura Taylor, communicable disease program manager for Contra Costa County.

But Taylor added that anyone else who had contact with the kitten and wants to get shots should do so. "We understand that people get really frightened," she said.