World Rabies Day

Rabies is a deadly virus that is spread to people from the saliva of infected animals, usually transmitted through a bite. Animals most likely to transmit rabies in the United States include bats, coyotes, raccoons, and skunks. In developing countries, stray dogs are the most likely to spread rabies to people.

Stray dogs present a number of community health risks. Most remote and isolated communities on American Indian reservations struggle with the problem of overpopulation of stray animals. In these communities, access to veterinary care is limited and people often live in poverty conditions, making it difficult for families to prioritize animal care as they struggle to meet the basic needs of their children.

Through our ROAR program (Rescue Operation for Animals of the Reservations), NRC helps reservation communities by funding spay and neuter clinics, providing mobile veterinary care, supporting community education efforts related to animal care and health risks, and providing the supplies that rescue workers need to foster animals from no-kill shelters to the point of adoption.

September 28, 2011 is World Rabies Day.

Each year human and animal lives are lost in reservation communities to the preventable disease of rabies. This week NRC is partnering with the Navajo Nation Veterinary and Livestock program to vaccinate dogs and cats across the Navajo Nation at no charge to the pet owners.

Last year, we helped to vaccinate 400 animals through these clinics, which helped to contribute to improved overall community health.

On World Rabies Day, it is important for all of us to consider how we can protect our animals and our communities from the treat of rabies. Please forward these prevention tips to anyone you know who loves animals:

• Vaccinate your pets. Cats, dogs and ferrets can be vaccinated against rabies. Ask your veterinarian how often your pets need vaccinations. 
• Keep your pets confined. Keep your pets inside and supervise them when outside. This will help keep your pets from coming into contact with wild animals.
• Protect small pets from predators. Keep rabbits and other small pets, such as guinea pigs, inside or in protected cages so that they are safe from wild animals. These small pets can’t be vaccinated against rabies.
• Report stray animals to local authorities. Call your local animal control officials or other local law enforcement to report stray dogs and cats.
• Don’t approach wild animals. Wild animals with rabies may seem unafraid of people. It is not normal for a wild animal to be friendly with people, so stay away from any animal that seems unafraid.
• Keep bats out of your home. Seal any cracks and gaps where bats can enter your home. If you know there are bats in your home, work with a local expert to find ways to remove them and keep bats out.
• Consider the rabies vaccine if you’re traveling. If you’re going to a country where rabies is common and you’ll be there for a long period of time, ask your doctor whether you should receive the rabies vaccine.