Last Updated: October 7, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 28, 2026
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov
World Rabies Day is Sept. 28
RICHMOND, Va. — To protect the health of residents and visitors, the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) share rabies prevention information and tips.
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It kills almost any mammal or human that gets sick from it. The rabies virus lives mainly in the saliva and brain of rabid animals. The virus can be transmitted through a bite or by getting saliva or central nervous system tissue in a wound or in the eye or mouth. Transmission can occur with direct contact between a human and a rabid animal, or between a pet and a rabid animal.
Rabies vaccination clinics
Henrico County offers Rabies Vaccination Clinics for domestic animals four times per year. The next clinic takes place Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Western Henrico Government Center (4301 E. Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23228). Residents with questions about the clinic can call 804-727-8801 (Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).
If you, a family member, or a pet are bitten by a wild, stray, or unvaccinated animal,
- Call 911 for medical emergencies.
- Wash the wound(s) thoroughly with warm soapy water.
- If it can be done without risking further direct contact, try to capture the animal under a large box or can, or at least identify it before it runs or flies away.
- Contact local animal control, your healthcare provider, or RHHD.
- Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC): 804-646-5573
- Henrico Police Animal Protection Unit: 804-501-5000
- Richmond City Health District Environmental Health: 804-205-3912
- Henrico County Health District Environmental Health:
- For bites to humans, notify your family doctor immediately and explain how you got the bite.
- If necessary, your doctor will give you rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or refer you to an Emergency Department for treatment.
- This treatment generally includes wound care, human rabies, immune globulin (HRIG) and a four-dose vaccine series.
- Your doctor will also treat you for other possible infections that could be caused by the bite.
Steps to prevent the spread of rabies
- Have a licensed veterinarian vaccinate dogs and cats four months of age and older for rabies, as required by the Code of Virginia.
- Keep vaccinations current.
- Not every rabid animal looks sick.
- Do not feed stray animals.
- Avoid wild animals and pets you are not familiar with, especially raccoons, bats, foxes, and skunks.
- Ask the owner before approaching an unfamiliar dog.
- Feed your pets indoors and do not let them wander.
- Teach children to avoid contact with wild animals and unfamiliar pets.
- Teach children to ask the owner before approaching an unfamiliar dog.
- Do not handle sick, injured, or dead animals.
- Keep wild animals, including bats, out of homes by capping chimneys with screens and blocking openings in attics, cellars and porches.
- Ensure trash cans have tight-fitting lids.
For more rabies information, visit VDH Rabies Control.
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Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are sister public health agencies serving our connected communities. Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs.
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