Protect You and Your Pet

Prevention and early treatment if bitten or scratched is the key to keep people safe from this fatal disease that kills about 40,000 people worldwide every year. And the best prevention is to reduce your risk and your animal's risk of coming in contact with an infected animal.

• Stay away from dogs and cats that you don't know and all wildlife, including bats. An animal can be carrying the rabies virus even though it appears healthy.
• Don't let your pets run free. Keep them indoors at night.
• Keep all your animals vaccinations current. Owners are required by law to vaccinate cats, dogs and any animals that are exposed to the public such as sheep, cows and horses at petting zoos and riding stables.
• If you have contact with a bat, or find one in a room where you have been sleeping, the bat should be tested.
• If you are bitten or scratched by any animal, wash the wound well and contact your family physician.
• Report any incident to the health unit. Include as much information as you can about the animal and if possible, the owner's name, address and phone number. Public heath inspectors will use this information to contact the owner, check rabies certificates and decide what other actions are needed.

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