Animal Safety

Interactive animal exhibits can be fun and educational. Stay safe by keeping food and animals separate!

• Don’t eat or drink around animals.
• Don’t share your food with animals, no matter how cute they are!
• Don’t eat raw (unpasteurized) products.
• Wash your hands before eating or drinking.

If your pet is attacked or bitten by a wild animal, be sure to report it to your local health department or animal control authorities. For more information on how to protect yourself & your pets from #rabies, check out https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/. #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself

Contact your local health department to find a rabies clinic in your area and make sure your pets are up to date on their vaccinations. For more information about rabies, visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/local-health-districts/ #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself

Keep the wild things wild! If you are feeding wild animals... STOP. This will cause them to lose their natural fear of humans and make it more likely that they will spread disease, including #rabies. For more info, visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/ #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself

If you wake up to find a bat in your room or the room of a child or mentally impaired person, contain the bat safely and contact your local health department. https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/local-health-districts/ #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself

You can protect yourselves & your pets from #rabies:
🐻 Appreciate wildlife from a distance.  
🐿️ Don’t adopt wild animals as pets.  
🏠 Keep your pets on your own property.  
🦝 Keep garbage and pet food secure indoors. 
For more info, visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/ #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself

Virginia is home to many types of wildlife. But it's important to keep your distance, even if the animal seems friendly. Rabid animals can sometimes act tame. For more information about #rabies visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/ #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself

What can you do to protect your family and your pets from #rabies? Learn more by visiting: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/ #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself

If you see a wild animal that looks sick or in trouble, don’t take matters into your own hands. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabber or the Department of Wildlife Resources. A directory of wildlife care professionals can be found at https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/injured/rehabilitators/ #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself

Protect the ones you love! Vaccinate your dogs, cats, ferrets and selected livestock for rabies. Ask your veterinarian about rabies vaccinations. A directory of veterinarians can be found at https://www.vvma.org/ #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself

Please add post copy language related to areas and dates/timing of drops.

The USDA Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) drop that was scheduled for the fall of 2025 was rescheduled due to the federal government shutdown. The drop will start April TBD and last for about a week. ORV baits are coated vaccine packets that attract wildlife such as raccoons. Learn more: www.aphis.usda.gov/national-wildlife-programs/rabies/faq

USDA oral rabies vaccine (ORV) help to contain rabies in specific geographic areas.  Learn more: www.aphis.usda.gov/national-wildlife-programs/rabies/faq/

Oral rabies vaccine (ORV) packets are being dropped by the USDA starting in certain parts of Southwest Virginia. If you or your pet find one, leave it alone. If contact with a bait occurs, rinse the area with soap and warm water. Report a bait exposure to 877-722-6725. Learn more: www.aphis.usda.gov/national-wildlife-programs/rabies/faq

USDA oral rabies vaccine (ORV) drops began earlier this week in certain parts of Southwest Virginia. If you or your pet finds one, leave it alone. If contact with a bait occurs, rinse the area with soap and warm water. Report a bait exposure to 877-722-6725. Learn more: www.aphis.usda.gov/national-wildlife-programs/rabies/faq

Did you know? Pigs can get the flu, and it’s a different one from human flu! If you visit an animal exhibit, make sure to take the right steps to protect yourself (and them!). For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/swine-flu/prevention/

People younger than 5 and older than 65 are at higher risk for getting sick from the flu, including swine flu. This fall, keep your distance from the animals if you are at high risk. If you visit them, wash your hands to keep yourself safe. For more info: https://www.cdc.gov/swine-flu/prevention/

Interactive animal exhibits can be fun and educational. Stay safe by keeping food and animals separate!

• Don’t eat or drink around animals.
• Don’t share your food with animals, no matter how cute they are!
• Don’t eat raw (unpasteurized) products.
• Wash your hands before eating or drinking.