Niagara County Health Department sharing reminders for keeping pets safe from rabies

NIAGARA COUNTY, N.Y. — The Niagara County Health Department is reminding the community of the dangers that rabies can pose to pets, and how their owners can keep them safe from infection.

“Any potential contact with either a wild or domestic animal should be reported right away,” said Paul Dicky, Director of Environmental Health for the Niagara County Department of Health. “Staff will investigate to determine the threat of exposure to people and pets.” 

People can call (716)-439-7444 to make any rabies reports.

Niagara County Associate Supervising Public Health Sanitarian Scott Ecker added that bat encounters are also a concern. “Because bats are a potential carrier of the rabies virus, if you wake up because a bat landed on you while you were sleeping, or if you wake up and find a bat in your room, you should try to safely capture it, without further exposing yourself, and have it tested,” he said. “This also applies if you find a bat in a room with an unattended child or someone with a mental impairment. Basically, if a bat is found indoors and there is a chance it may have had contact with a person or a pet, it is extremely important not to release it.” 

To know what to do or how to capture a bat, those can watch the New York State Department of Health video, “Catch a Bat Safely,” by visiting www.health.ny.gov/diseases

The health department offers these tips to further reduce the risk of exposure to the rabies virus:

• DO NOT pick up, touch or feed wildlife or stray dogs and cats. Wild or feral animals, including their babies, can be rabid. Teach children to do the same.
• If a wild animal is on your property, get indoors and let it wander away.
• Keep pets and livestock animals up to date on their vaccinations.
• Don’t let pets roam free and bring them indoors at night.

Ecker said that the rabies virus is active throughout the year. “We typically see more rabies activity because people are outdoors more with warmer weather, but they should be aware of wildlife and the dangers of rabies year-round,” he cautioned.

Dicky reminds pet owners that New York State law requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets from four months of age and older to be current with rabies vaccination. “Even animals that remain indoors can be exposed to rabies through a bite or scratch from a rabid bat,” he said. “Immunizing your pets is the most effective protection from rabies virus.” Visit your veterinarian or mark your calendar for our next free rabies clinic.

For a list of upcoming Niagara County rabies clinics click here.