New Rabies Door-To-Door Notification Plan

In an effort to better inform residents about rabid animals in their communities, Fairfax County Animal Control officers have begun a new door-to-door notification process each time a rabid animal is discovered nearby.

Beginning September 2, officers will knock on doors to alert residents that they should take precautions to protect their family and pets when an animal in their neighborhood has tested positive for the rabies virus. If no one is home, officers will leave a flyer at the door.

The goal of the new Animal Control Division-sponsored program is to prevent exposure to rabies through education. Officers remind residents that they should report unusual or suspicious animal behavior at 703-691-2131.

For example, officers recently received a report of a skunk that was making unusually loud noises in the 2700 block of Copper Creek Road in the Herndon area. The skunk went under the complainant’s porch and physically pulled another skunk out and attacked it, repeatedly pouncing on the badly injured body.

According to animal control officers, this is not typical of skunk behavior and rabies was strongly suspected, posing a threat to any animal (or resident) that may have been walking outside in that area.

Rabies vaccinations are mandatory for all cats and dogs that reside in Fairfax County.  All dogs four months of age and older must also have a dog license; failure to license your dog or inoculate pets against rabies may result in fines of up to $250.

Fairfax County offers $12 rabies vaccines in two upcoming clinics:

Sunday, Sept. 18
2–4 p.m.
Mason District Government Center
6507 Columbia Pike
Annandale, Va. 22003

Sunday, Dec. 4
2–4 p.m.
Sully District Government Center
4900 Stonecroft Blvd.
Chantilly, Va. 20151

So far in 2011, Fairfax County has seen 32 cases of animal rabies, according to the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Epidemiology.

• Bat: 1
• Cat: 1
• Fox: 4
• Groundhog: 1
• Raccoon: 19
• Skunk: 6

in 2010, Fairfax County saw 50 animal rabies cases for the year. Statewide, the total number of animal rabies cases so far this year, 401, is outpacing last year's total of 348 cases. Last year's count included three types of animals not included so far in this year's count: a deer, five dogs and one opossum.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system and kills almost any mammal or human that gets sick from it. The rabies virus is mainly in the saliva of rabid animals and can be transmitted through a bite or by getting saliva in a wound or in the eye or mouth.

If your pet is attacked or bitten, even if it is vaccinated, take them to the vet for a "booster" vaccination, and report the incident to Fairfax County Animal Control at 703-691-2131