State and local ordinances require that residents have all dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies.

Rabies Clinics are held in the Fall, generally at the Washington Township Road Department Garage, located at 54 Rock Road. Check the Events Page, or Main Page of the Washington Township Web site for detailed information.

If your pet has an encounter with a wild or unknown animal, call your veterinarian. Your pet may require a booster shot. Do not handle your pet within two hours of the incident to avoid contact with the saliva of the wild animal.

Bats are a high risk carrier of rabies. Avoid contact with all downed or dead bats. Call the Health Department or Police Department immediately if you find a bat in your home. The Police Department does not remove bats from a residence, but can provide a referral, and assistance in having a paid service respond to the scene.

In addition to household pets, other domestic farm animals such as cows, horses, etc. should be vaccinated against rabies. Rabies is a serious public health threat but it is a preventable disease. The US Center for Disease Control, http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/ has excellent information.

Please call the Health Department if you have any questions.