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Fall 2009
PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR PETS AGAINST RABIES
You can protect your family and your pets from any rabies strain by observing the following rules:
- Have your pets vaccinated according to instructions from your veterinarian.
- Do not feed wild animals. You may be putting your family in danger.
- Warn your children to stay away from wild or stray animals.
- Take measures to discourage wild animals from taking up residence in your home or on your property. For example, cover up potential entrances, such as uncapped chimneys, loose shingles, and openings in attics, roofs and eaves. You may want to contact a professional for advice.
- Do not attempt to trap wild animals that are causing damage to your property. Instead, contact a professional animal control officer to remove nuisance animals.
- Do not trap and transport wild animals to a new location. You could spread disease.
- Do not keep wildlife as pets. It is against the law.
- Report any animals behaving strangely to your local animal control office.
- Do not touch dead or sick animals except to bury or dispose of them. Do so carefully, wearing protective gloves and making sure pets cannot get at the carcasses.
- Do not try to nurse sick animals to health.
- If you think you, or any member of your family, has been in contact with a rabid animal, immediately contact your local Health Unit, doctor, or go to your local emergency health care center.
- Have all dead, sick or easily captured bats that have come in to contact with a human or pet, tested for rabies. Do not touch the bat. Contact your local Canadian Food Inspection Agency for testing.
For further information on rabies, visit the Rabies Website.
For further information, contact the Ministry of Health Information Line, toll-free 1-888-668-4636. In Toronto, call (416) 327-0427.
Contact:
Natalie Gorman
Ministry of Natural Resources
(705) 755-1551
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