09/28/2026
🐾 WORLD RABIES DAY | SEPTEMBER 28, 2026 🐾
Here at Berkeley Veterinary Clinic, we know that recent news updates from the CDC regarding positive rabies cases in our surrounding counties have left many pet owners feeling anxious.
We firmly believe that education turns anxiety into action. This World Rabies Day, we are breaking down everything you need to know to protect your furry family members, yourself, and our local wildlife!
🐾 How is rabies spread from animal to animal?
Rabies is primarily transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. The most common route is through a bite or scratch that breaks the skin. It can also spread if infected saliva enters an open wound or mucous membranes (such as the eyes, nose, or mouth). Common wildlife carriers include bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes.
🐾 How is rabies spread from animal to human?
In humans, transmission happens the exact same way—most commonly through a bite or scratch from a rabid animal, or when infected saliva gets into an open cut, scrape, or wound.
🐾 What should you do if you believe your pet has been exposed?
Protect yourself first: Do not touch your pet with bare hands right after an encounter; saliva from the wild animal may still be on their fur. Use heavy gloves or a towel.
Isolate immediately: Keep your pet separated from other animals and family members.
Call us right away: If your pet is vaccinated, they will receive a quick booster shot within a critical window to reinforce their immunity. Unvaccinated pets face strict state-mandated quarantine periods.
🐾 What should you do if you believe YOU have been exposed?
Wash thoroughly: Clean the wound with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes immediately.
Seek emergency care: Go to the nearest emergency room or seek urgent medical attention. Rabies is 100% preventable in humans if Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) treatment is started promptly before symptoms appear.
Report the incident: Notify local animal control or your county public health department so the animal can be safely monitored or tested.
🐾 Is it important to vaccinate ALL pets (even strictly indoor pets)? YES!
Accidental Escapes: Even the most dedicated indoor pet can slip out an open door.
Uninvited Guests: Bats, mice, and raccoons frequently find their way into attics, basements, and living rooms. Bats are currently the leading cause of rabies exposure in indoor pets.
It's the Law: State law mandates rabies vaccination for dogs, cats, and ferrets—regardless of their indoor status—because rabies is a major public health risk.
🐾 Living Safely with Wildlife: Myths vs. Facts
Not all wild animals carry rabies, and seeing a wild neighbor nearby is no reason to panic! Wildlife plays a vital role in our local ecosystem, and with a little understanding, we can keep our families safe while showing wild animals the kindness they deserve.
🦝 Normal Wildlife Behavior vs. Signs of Rabies
It is easy to misinterpret healthy wild behavior as a threat. Here is how to tell the difference:🦡
Time of Day:
Healthy: Normally nocturnal animals (like raccoons or foxes) may forage during the day if food is scarce or if they are feeding babies.
Rabid: Active during the day and displaying severe confusion, disorientation, or unprovoked aggression.
Movement:
Healthy: Alert, purposeful, and quick to run away or hide when humans approach.
Rabid: Wobbly, "drunk" gait, circling repeatedly, or exhibiting partial paralysis.
Interaction:
Healthy: Maintains a natural fear of humans and pets.
Rabid: Extreme lack of fear, acting eerily "tame," or launching unprovoked attacks on inanimate objects or vehicles.
Physical Appearance:
Healthy: Healthy coat and a cautious posture.
Rabid: Excessive drooling/foaming at the mouth, discharge from eyes or nose, or self-mutilation (such as biting at their own paws).
🐾The Opossum Exception: Nature’s Pest Control
Despite their habit of hissing and baring their teeth when cornered, opossums almost never carry rabies!
Why? Their natural body temperature is too low (around 94°F–97°F) for the rabies virus to easily survive or replicate.
Ecosystem Heroes: Opossums are natural backyard cleaners—they eat thousands of ticks, venomous snakes, and pests every year! When threatened, they hiss, drool, or "play dead" as a defensive bluff, which people often mistake for rabies.
💚 How to Practice Wildlife Kindness
Give them space: Never approach, touch, or attempt to hand-feed wild animals, no matter how tame they seem.
Secure attractants: Keep trash cans sealed, feed pets indoors, and cap chimneys or vents to prevent unexpected guests.
Call the pros: If you see an animal showing neurological signs or severe illness, do not handle it yourself—contact local Animal Control or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately.
💙 Protect Your Pets, Protect Your Community 💙
Is your pet due for their rabies vaccine or booster? Give us a call at (919) 778 - 5398 today to schedule an appointment. Prevention is as simple as a single shot!
https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/about/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/about/index.html
