09/29/2026
World Rabies Day: Protect Yourself, Your Pets, and Wildlife
With recent news reports of beavers in New York and goats in North Carolina testing positive for rabies, we want to recognize World Rabies Day by sharing important reminders about this deadly disease.
Rabies is a virus that can affect any mammal, including people. Once symptoms develop, rabies is almost always fatal. The virus is spread through the saliva of an infected animal when it comes into contact with broken skin, the eyes, nose, or mouth of another mammal.
In Massachusetts, wildlife commonly associated with rabies cases include:
š¦ Raccoons
š¦ Bats
š¦Ø Skunks
š¦« Woodchucks
š¦ Foxes
š± Bobcats
Tips to Stay Safe:
ā
Keep your dogs, cats, and other domestic pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
ā
If you observe a mammal showing signs of illness such as excessive drooling, unusual aggression, or paralysis, contact your local animal control officer or animal health authorities.
ā
If you wake up and find a bat in your bedroom, or discover a bat in a room with a child or someone unable to report contact, consult a healthcare provider and contact animal control immediately.
ā
Never feed wildlife. Feeding wild animals can cause them to congregate, increasing the risk of disease transmission.
ā
Do not relocate wild animals. Moving wildlife can spread rabies and other diseases to new areas.
ā
Never handle wild animals, even if they appear injured, orphaned, or friendly.
Knowledge and prevention are our best defenses against rabies. Learn more about rabies in Massachusetts and how to protect yourself, your family, and your pets here:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/rabies
