World Rabies Day

Hi, I’m Dr. Holly Pollack your local veterinarian at Amelia Island Animal Hospital and together with your help we can eradicate Rabies!

Let’s End Rabies Together is the mantra of the World Rabies Day and is celebrated September 28 every year. Having World Rabies Day helps us be more aware of the risk factors and preventative measures needed to eradicate the disease globally!

In Florida, there are a number of common animals you may not have known carry rabies:

• raccoons
• bats
• unvaccinated cats
• foxes

Other mammals that are at high risk for rabies include skunks, coyotes, bobcats, and stray or unvaccinated dogs. These animals may show up in your backyard or on paths while walking your pet. It is very important to avoid wild animals, pay attention to unusual acting animals, and vaccinate your own pets!

Rabies is not just a health risk for your pets. Did you know that rabies is contagious to humans and can be fatal? Don’t let children play around wild animals like the ones mentioned above as they can be cute and deadly.

Rabies is predominately spread by bite wounds. The contaminated saliva from a rabid animal contacts tissues of a healthy mammal.

5 Steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones against rabies:

1. Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
2. Supervise your pets to avoid contact with wild animals.
3. Remove and reduce any stray animals from your neighborhood by calling animal control and spaying and neutering.
4. Do not attract wild animals with open garbage cans or food.
5. Never handle or adopt wild animals.

As most of you may be aware, there was a positive rabies case on Amelia Island as recent as June 2015: http://fernandinaobserver.com/2015/06/04/rabies-alert-issued-for-nassau-county.

We can End Rabies Together. Join the movement – call Amelia Island Animal Hospital at 904-261-7153 and ask to schedule your rabies vaccine with Dr Holly Pollack during the week of September 28 and mention the Hot Paws Rabies blog to receive $10.00 off your exam. Tell your friends and neighbors! Let’s make Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach/Nassau County rabies free!!