Animal Services

Rabies

Miami-Dade County Health Department and Animal Services officials are urging the public to help protect themselves and to prevent the spread of rabies by taking the following steps:

• Keep rabies vaccinations up-to-date for all dogs, cats and ferrets. It’s the law!
  Do not allow your pets to run free.  If a wild animal bites your pet, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately.
• Call Animal Services at 311 to have stray dogs removed.
• Feed your pets indoors.
  Don’t use your hands to break up a fight between animals.
• Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.
• Avoid direct contact with unfamiliar animals.
• Do not handle, or feed wild animals (raccoons, bats, skunks, foxes) or unintentionally attract them with open garbage cans or litter.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health.
• Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
• Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches and schools, where they might come in contact with people and pets. If you find a bat in your home, contact the health department.
• When traveling abroad, avoid direct contact with wild animals and be especially careful around dogs in developing countries.
   

For additional information, please visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies

View the frequently asked questions on rabies, as well as information on local rabies law.