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P.O. Box 1015 Waldorf, MD 20604-1015
Phone: 301 645-8181

Saturday, March 31, 2001. From the American Humane Association
10 Ways To Reduce your Risk Of Rabies

A few small things can reduce the risk quite a bit.

1. Vaccinate your pets against rabies
2. Don't keep wild animals as pets. Americans keep more than 1.5 million exotic animals as pets- animals which cannot be vaccinated aginst rabies.
3. Do not handle wildlife- dead or alive. While the virus won't survive very long in dead animals, you should wear moisture prood gloves before picking them up.
4. Avoid animals displaying unnatural behavior. Wild animals who are unusually friendly or displaying other unnatural behaviors may have the rabies virus.
5. Discourage contact between pets and wildlife. Don't let your pets roam or encourage them to interact with unfamiliar domestic or wild animals.
6. Feed your pets indoors. Leaving food outside often attracts stray dogs, cats, and wildlife to your yard.
7. Animals proof your trash. Make sure your trash lids are locked, and don't leave bags of garbage outside the cans.
8. Prevent wild animals from getting into the house. Prune tree braches that overhang the roof. Keep screens on windows and cover small openings. such as chimneys, furnace ducts and eaves.
9. Report all stray animals to animal control (301 932-1713 at Tri-County Animal Shelter in Charles County Maryland). Stray animals may not be vaccinated for rabies. They also run a high risk of exposure to wild animals that carry the disease.
10. Give your child some guidelines to follow. Do not frighten young children, but make sure they learn some basic rules about protecting themselves from strange or unfamiliar animals.
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