Animal Bites and Rabies Prevention

What is Rabies?

• Rabies is a deadly but preventable disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Almost any infected human or mammal—like raccoons, dogs, skunks, and foxes—can die from it.
• The virus lives in the saliva and brain of rabid animals. It spreads through bites or if infected saliva or brain tissue gets into an open wound, or your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• You can only get rabies if an infected animal's saliva or brain tissue enters your body this way.

• That’s why it’s important to stay away from wild animals and get medical help fast if you’ve been bitten or scratched.

How Can I Prevent Rabies?

Get Pets Vaccinated

• Ensure pets are up to date on their rabies and distemper vaccines.
• You can visit the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) for a $15 rabies vaccine and free distemper vaccine at their Vaccine and Microchip Clinic.

Avoid Wild Animals

• Stay away from wild, unknown, or aggressive animals.
• Do not touch dead animals that could carry rabies (including cats, dogs, foxes, raccoons, bats, and groundhogs). Call AWLA at 703-931-9241 for removal.

Keep Pets Leashed

• Don’t let pets roam freely. Keep them on your property or use a leash when out. By law, Arlington County requires pets to be leashed unless they are inside a County dog park.

Get Medical Help Immediately if Bitten

• Wash the wound right away with soap and plenty of water.
• See a healthcare provider as soon as possible. You may need a series of vaccines to prevent rabies. Once symptoms start, it is too late for the vaccine to work, and there is no treatment. The only way to prevent rabies after exposure is to get vaccinated before symptoms appear.
• Your healthcare provider can also treat other possible infections from the bite.
• If your pet is bitten, contact your veterinarian for care.

Report Bites and Strange Behavior

• If a wild or domestic animal bites you or your pet, call AWLA at 703-931-9241. After hours, stay on the line to speak with the answering service, which will alert the on-duty officer.
• If you or your child is bitten, also call Arlington County Public Health Division at 703-228-7444.
• If you see an animal that looks sick, sleepy, unsteady, or is overly aggressive, do not go near it and report it to AWLA.

There’s a Bat in My Home, Now What?   

Bats don’t want to be inside your home any more than you want them there. They’re likely lost and looking for a way out. But since bats can carry rabies—a serious disease spread through bites or scratches—it’s important to know what to do.

1. Stay Calm

• Bats can't bite while flying, and they're not trying to attack

2. Do NOT try to catch or touch the bat

3. Isolate the bat and don't release it outside

• Close the door to the room where the bat is
• Block gaps under doors with a towel
• Keep people and pets out of the room

4. Call Animal Control immediately at 703-931-9241 (available 24/7)

• If it's after hours, stay on the line to reach the answering service
• They'll alert the on-duty officer
• Wait for Animal Control to arrive

If there’s any chance a person or pet had contact with the bat, Public Health or Animal Control will help figure out what to do next.