Do not feed, touch or adopt wild animals, stray dogs or cats.
Keep dogs and cats up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. Indiana state law requires a current vaccination for all cats, dogs and ferrets beginning at three months of age. Vaccinated pets serve as a buffer between rabid wildlife and humans. Protecting your pet also reduces your risk of exposure to rabies. Pets too young to be vaccinated should be kept indoors.
Keep family pets indoors at night. Don't leave them outside unattended or let them roam free.
Don't attract wild animals to your home or yard. Keep your property free of stored bird seed and other foods which may attract wildlife and strays. Feed pets indoors. Tightly cap or put away garbage cans. Board up openings in your attic, basement, porch or garage. Cap your chimney with screens.
Encourage children to tell an adult immediately, if they are bitten or scratched by any animal. Tell children not to touch any animal they do not know.
Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to the county health office.
If a wild animal is on your property, let it wander away. If the wild animal is behaving sick or aggressive, bring children and pets indoors and alert neighbors who are outside.