Pet Owners Urged To Vaccinate Pets Against Rabies

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Source: Public Health Department

Animal Services would like to encourage and remind all pet owners to take a few moments today to ensure that pet’s vaccinations, including rabies, are up to date and kept current. Rabies is a preventable viral disease that is transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Rabies can pass from wild animals, commonly bats and skunks in Santa Barbara County, to pets. Although transmission to humans is rare, it is fatal if not treated.

Rabies vaccinations are recommended for all warm-blooded domestic animals including cats, dogs, horses, and livestock. Santa Barbara County residents and their pets often live in close contact with wildlife. Community members can protect their pets by keeping them indoors at night, walking them with a leash, scanning the yard for wildlife before allowing them outside, and not leaving food outside that will attract wildlife.

Symptoms of rabies can include agitation, biting and snapping, drooling, acting disoriented, appearing partially paralyzed, or generally acting sick. If you notice a typically nocturnal animal that is active during the day and acting abnormally, please contact Animal Services for assistance.

Rabies vaccines are available from your veterinarian and various other resources around the county. The Santa Maria Animal Center hosts a vaccine clinic on Mondays and Thursdays from
1:30-3:30 P.M.

For more information, please contact your nearest Animal Services location: