As spring weather moves in and racoons, skunks, foxes, and other wild animals become more active, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) are urging people to avoid interactions with wildlife.
The animals are more likely to be on the move as a result of spring breeding season, and the DEM says that all mammals are susceptible to rabies. Rabies can be passed on through a bite or scratch, and infected animals can display symptoms such as aggressiveness, aimless wandering, lethargy, weakness of the hind legs, and loss of awareness. Some animals do not show any symptoms, and the only way to confirm rabies is through laboratory testing.
Anyone who comes into contact with an animal is urged to call the RIDOH’s Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 401-222-2577 or 401-276-8046 after hours for treatment guidance. The DEM also stresses the importance of not feeding wild animals, as it can increase the risk of disease and conflicts between humans and wildlife.
Domestic pets should be kept indoors when unsupervised, and all pets should be vaccinated against rabies. The DEM and RIDOH strongly recommend that livestock owners also vaccinate their pets, as rabies can be passed on to livestock from wild animals.
RIDOH and DEM make the following recommendations to prevent rabies:
Make sure all dogs, cats, and ferrets are up to date on rabies vaccination.
Avoid all contact with and do not feed stray or free-roaming domestic animals.
Avoid all contact with and do not feed wild animals. Feeding wildlife is illegal in Rhode Island not only because it increases the risk of disease, but it can also lead to conflicts between humans and wildlife, and lead to unsustainable populations of wildlife.
Do not feed your pets outdoors, as this will attract other animals. This is especially dangerous when feeding large numbers of free-roaming cats.
Protect your pets by always maintaining control. Walk dogs on a leash or let them play in a fenced yard, and do not let pets wander unsupervised.
Report all animal bites to your city/town’s animal control officer.
Securely cover all garbage cans so wild animals cannot scavenge for food.
Bat-proof your house.
For more information on how to prevent rabies, please visit the RIDOH website.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
