Rabies


To go directly to NCDOH Rabies Immunization Clinic webpage, click here. (On that webpage you will find the Rabies Clinic Schedule and can pre-register for rabies clinic.)  

About Rabies:
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. Domestic animals account for less than 10% of the reported rabies cases, with cats, cattle, and dogs most often reported rabid.
Rabies virus infects the central nervous system, causing encephalopathy and ultimately death. Early symptoms of rabies in humans are nonspecific, consisting of fever, headache, and general malaise. As the disease progresses, neurological symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation, difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Death usually occurs within days of the onset of symptoms.

Public Health Importance of Rabies:
Over the last 100 years, rabies in the United States has changed dramatically. More than 90% of all animal cases reported annually to CDC now occur in wildlife; before 1960 the majority were in domestic animals. The principal rabies hosts today are wild carnivores and bats. The number of rabies-related human deaths in the United States has declined from more than 100 annually at the turn of the century to one or two per year in the 1990's.  Modern day prophylaxis has proven nearly 100% successful.   In the United States, human fatalities associated with rabies occur in people who fail to seek medical assistance, usually because they were unaware of their exposure.

CDC Rabies Website

New York State Law Requirements
By law all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets must have a current rabies vaccination. The Niagara County Department of Health in association with the Niagara County Veterinary society holds free rabies clinics each year.

Clarifying the Health Department’s Role in Rabies Investigations
Information for the Niagara County Public

In light of recent misinformation circulating on social media regarding the Health Department's role in rabies investigations, we want to provide accurate information about what the Environmental Division of the Niagara County Department of Health actually does during these cases.

Our Role in Pet Bite and Scratch Investigations

When a domestic animal bite or scratch is reported—either to a medical facility or directly to the health department—it is our responsibility to ensure two key things:

  1. Rabies Vaccination Status
    We must verify that the pet involved (only dogs, cats, and ferrets are required by law) has a current rabies vaccination.
  2. 10-Day Observation Period
    The pet must be observed for 10 days following the incident.
    • If the pet is alive and healthy after this period, it is considered not to have had an active or transmissible rabies infection at the time of the incident.
    • This means no further rabies risk to the person exposed.
If the pet was not up to date on its rabies vaccine, the following steps are required:
  • A booster shot must be administered as soon as possible after the 10 day observation.
  • Proof of vaccination must be submitted to the health department.
  • The owner may be subject to fines for not complying with New York State rabies vaccination laws.

When Rabies Testing or Euthanasia May Be Required
The Health Department may require rabies testing and/or euthanasia in the following situations:

  1. The pet does not survive the 10-day observation period.
  2. An unvaccinated domestic animal had known or suspected contact with a rabies vector species (RVS) (e.g., raccoons, skunks, bats); we would attempt to test the RVS to determine the next steps. 
  3. A wild RVS animal has direct contact with a human; we would attempt to test the RVS to determine the next steps.

In these cases, testing is necessary to determine if rabies exposure occurred.

Please know that we do everything possible to avoid unnecessary euthanasia. This is why it's critically important—and legally required—to keep your pets’ rabies vaccinations current at all times.

Important Public Service Announcements
🦇 If You Find a Bat in Your Home
If you wake up and discover a bat in your home, we always recommend err on the side of caution and have the bat tested for rabies.

  • While we cannot trap the bat for you, if it is caught or killed during your attempt to remove it, please:
    • Place it in a rigid container (e.g., old Tupperware),
    • Store it in a cool, dry place (like a fridge or cooler with ice),
    • Call the Health Department (716-439-7444) on the next business day to arrange for drop-off and testing.
    • If professional help is not available, capture the bat safely as described below or watch this video on how to safely catch a bat .  

🐾 If Your Pet or Family Member Encounters a Wild Animal
If your dog, cat, ferret, or a family member has contact with a wild rabies vector species:

  1. Contact your veterinarian immediately to confirm your pet’s rabies vaccination status.
  2. Obtain a copy of the vaccination certificate, if available.
  3. If the wild animal was killed during the incident:
    • Double bag the carcass,
    • Store it in a cool, dry location (refrigerator or cooler with ice),
    • Contact the Health Department the next business day to arrange for testing.

Keeping your pets vaccinated and following these steps helps protect your family, your pets, and the wider community from the serious risks associated with rabies.

If you have any questions, please contact the Niagara County Department of Health – Environmental Division at 716-439-7444.

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