What is rabies and who can get it?
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the nervous system. It can affect any mammal, including people, pets, livestock and wildlife. In the United States it is found most often in wild animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes, though the species vary by region. CDC and state health departments publish current information.
Once symptoms begin, rabies is almost always fatal. That is why prevention and quick medical care after a possible exposure matter so much. The good news is that treatment started promptly after an exposure is highly effective, and a doctor or health department can tell you what applies.
How is it spread?
Rabies spreads mainly through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite. A scratch or saliva entering an open wound, or the eyes, nose or mouth, can also be a risk. You cannot tell if an animal has rabies by looking at it, and a healthy-looking animal can still be a danger.
Bats deserve special attention because their bites can be tiny and unnoticed. If you wake with a bat in a room, or find one with a child or someone who cannot report contact, call a doctor or your health department for advice and, if possible, safely keep the bat for testing without touching it with bare hands.
How do I lower the risk?
Vaccinate dogs, cats and ferrets, and keep their vaccines current as your veterinarian advises. Ask your veterinarian about vaccination for horses and livestock that are valuable or have close contact with people. Many places require pet vaccination by law, so check your county rules.
Keep pets under supervision, secure garbage and pet food, and avoid feeding wildlife. Teach children never to touch wild or stray animals, even if they look friendly or hurt. Bat-proof buildings by sealing gaps, but ask a wildlife professional about timing so you do not trap bats inside.
- Keep pet and livestock vaccinations current
- Never touch wild or unfamiliar animals
- Secure garbage and pet food
- Call for help when you find a bat indoors
What do I do after a bite or scratch?
Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water right away, then contact a doctor or go to an emergency room. Tell them what animal was involved and what happened. They will decide if treatment is needed, and may consult the health department.
Do not wait to see if symptoms appear. Treatment works when given soon after exposure, not after signs develop. If you are unsure whether you were exposed, call your doctor or county health department and ask. It is always better to ask.
What about my pet or livestock?
If your pet is bitten or fights with a wild animal, call your veterinarian and your local animal control or health department right away. Wear gloves when handling the animal, since saliva on fur can carry the virus. What happens next depends on whether the pet is vaccinated, and the rules differ by state.
Report unusual behavior in livestock, such as drooling, trouble swallowing or sudden aggression, to your veterinarian. Do not put your hand in the animal's mouth, and keep people away.
What should I do about a suspicious wild animal?
Stay away and keep children and pets away. A wild animal that seems tame, stumbles, acts aggressive or appears in daylight when it normally would not may be sick, though there can be other causes. Do not try to capture or kill it yourself.
Call your local animal control, state wildlife agency or the county health department and describe what you see. They will tell you what to do and whether the animal needs to be tested.
If you are ever unsure, treat it as an exposure question for a professional. Public health staff answer these calls every week and would rather hear from you than miss a case.
Who helps with prevention programs?
Public health departments and USDA wildlife programs run activities in some areas, including oral vaccination of wildlife in certain regions. The CDC and USDA publish background on rabies and its management for anyone who wants to read more.
Your county health department can tell you about local animal reports, clinics for pet vaccination and what to do in your area. Keep those phone numbers somewhere handy.
Key takeaways
- Wash a bite or scratch with soap and water and see a doctor right away.
- Never touch wild animals or bats; call for help.
- Keep pet and valuable livestock vaccinations current.
- Do not wait for symptoms, since treatment must start early.
- Report suspicious wildlife to animal control, the wildlife agency or health department.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.