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WHAT TO DO If you see a wild animal, especially a raccoon, bat, skunk or fox: I Stay away and keep children away. I Keep pets indoors. I Let the animal go away on its own. I You may call a nuisance wildlife control officer who will remove the animal for a fee. If the animal is threatening people or pets: I Call your county health authority for advice (see numbers on front page inside phone book). I Call the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation during business hours. Because people can be bitten by a bat and not know it, if a bat is found indoors DO NOT RELEASE IT: I Contain a bat in a room by closing all windows and room and closet doors. I Call your county health authority immediately. I Bats can usually be captured using gloves and a coffee can or similar container, and then can be submitted for rabies testing. If your pet fights or has contact with an animal that might be rabid: I Wear gloves to handle your pet. Saliva from the rabid animal may be on your pet’s fur. I Isolate your pet from other animals and people for several hours. I Call your county health authority for advice. I Call your veterinarian. Vaccinated pets will need a rabies booster shot within five days of the attack. I An unvaccinated pet must be quarantined for six months or humanely destroyed. Precautions to take: I Vaccinate your dogs, cats and ferrets. I Have homes and cabins batproofed. I Don’t feed, touch or adopt wild or stray animals. I cap garbage cans. Don’t attract animals to your home or yard. I Feed pets indoors; never leave them outdoors unattended. I Keep a pair of work gloves handy to capture a bat or in case your pet is attacked. Rabies ---PAGE BREAK--- WHAT TO DO IF BITTEN …BY A WILD ANIMAL 1. Immediately wash the wound with lots of soap and running water. 2. Capture the animal, if possible, so it can be tested. Take care to prevent additional bites or damage to the animal’s head. 3. Get medical attention. Call your family doctor or go to the nearest emergency room. 4. Call your county health authority. 5. DO NOT DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL ADVICE. 6. If necessary, a dead animal may be kept on ice, double bagged in plastic, until it can be tested. Always wear gloves, use a shovel and clean the area and tools with one part bleach to nine parts water. Keep the dead animal in a protected area away from people and other animals. …BY A PET DOG OR CAT 1. Immediately wash the wound with lots of soap and running water. 2. Obtain the pet owner’s name, address and telephone number. 3. Get medical attention. Call your family doctor or go to the nearest emergency room. 4. Call your county health authority. Have this information ready: • Type and description of animal including any features or marks; • If it was a pet, whether it wore a collar, tags and where it lives; • How the bite occurred; • Whether the animal has been seen in the area before and what direction it was traveling. New York State Department of Health 3007 3/00 Rabies