News Flash

April 27, 2020 - Within the last two weeks, the Hampton Health Department has received several reports of household pets encountering wildlife that are high risk for having rabies. Additionally, since April 1, two raccoons in Hampton tested positive for rabies.

Most exposures involving wildlife occur because owners don’t scan their property before they let their pets out. The Hampton Animal Response Team recommends that citizens monitor their pets while they are outside, never leaving them unattended. Whether your property is fenced in or not, monitoring your pets reduces the chances of an attack from other domestic animals that may be stray, as well as wildlife.  With spring here, many newborn wild animals have made their way on our properties.

Remember that rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It is almost always fatal. A rabies vaccine can prevent your cat, dog or ferret from getting the disease.