Protecting Your Family and Your Pets Against Rabies
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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 attacks, roofs and eaves. You may want to contact a professional for advice. (See Fact Sheet Discourage Raccoons From Moving In)
• 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. It's illegal and you could be spreading the disease.
• Do not keep wildlife as pets. It is against the law.
• Report any animals behaving strangely to your local animal control office or Health Unit.
• Do not touch dead or sick animals. Bury or dispose of them carefully, and make 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.

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