GO Health reminds residents to avoid wild animals and keep pets vaccinated to prevent rabies this spring
Press Release:
As the weather gets warmer, people are more likely to see wild and baby animals in their yards, parks, and wooded areas. The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) want to remind residents to stay alert and cautious around wild, stray, and even baby animals.
Rabies is a deadly disease that can affect both animals and humans, but the good news is, it is preventable.
“Rabies is most often spread through bites from animals that have the disease, like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes,” stated Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for GO Health. “Baby or young animals might look cute, but they can still have rabies. Don’t touch, feed, or approach wild animals or stray pets. If you see an animal that looks hurt or sick, call animal control instead.”
Rabies is deadly if not treated. If you are bitten by an animal, wash the wound right away with soap and water and seek medical attention. All bites should be reported to the Genesee or Orleans County Health Departments.
To stop the spread of rabies, the health department reminds residents of the following:
- Make sure your pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
- Do not go near or touch wild animals, baby animals or stray cats and dogs, even if they seem hurt or lost. Report any unusual animal behavior. If an animal seems aggressive, confused, or unusually friendly, contact animal control right away.
- Follow leash laws. Keep pets on a leash so they do not encounter wild animals or strays. If an animal bites your pet, seek veterinary assistance immediately and report it to the health department.
- Prevent bats from entering living spaces. If you find a bat in your home, safely capture it and contact the health department. DO NOT release it! For instructions on safely capturing a bat, watch this GO Health Minute.
Residents are encouraged to take advantage of our upcoming drive-thru rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats, and ferrets in Genesee and Orleans Counties, offered at no charge.
Genesee County Rabies Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia)
- Thursday, May 15, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, August 7, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, October 9, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Orleans County Rabies Clinics at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion)
- Saturday, April 26, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, June 18, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 20, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, October 25, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
For more information on GO Health’s programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org. You can also contact your respective health department:
- Genesee County- 585-344-2580 x5555 or Health@geneseeny.gov
- Orleans County- 585-589-3278 or OCPublicHealth@orleanscountyny.gov
Follow GO Health on Facebook, Instagram, and X at GOHealthNY.