In general, the following precautions should be taken to reduce your risk of exposure to animals that may be carrying rabies:

¨      All pets and domestic livestock for which a licensed vaccine exists should be vaccinated.  This includes dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, cattle, and sheep.  Vaccines should be administered by a licensed veterinarian, and boosters given according to the manufacturers directions.

¨      Do not approach or handle unfamiliar or wild animals.

¨      Thoroughly wash any wound caused by an animal with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.

¨      Rabies Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is highly effective in preventing rabies in people possibly exposed to a rabid animal, if administered before symptoms develop.

¨      There is no post-exposure prevention treatment available for animals.  As a result, unvaccinated domestic animals that are exposed to a potential rabies carrier may be required to be euthanized.

¨      It is illegal to have wild animals as pets.

¨      Many exotic species make poor pets, and no rabies vaccine is licensed for use in these species.

How to reduce your pet's chance of exposure to a rabid animal.