Stay Away from Unfamiliar Animals!

Last Updated: 6/5/2025

Stay Away from Unfamiliar Animals!

Tioga County Public Health reminds residents to stay away from unfamiliar animals, both wild and domestic.

Stray kittens, cats, baby racoons, fox cubs, and other wild animals may look cute, but they have the potential to spread rabies! Rabies is a fatal, but preventable, viral disease that can affect both humans and animals. It spreads to humans when an infected animal bites or scratches an individual. One way to prevent rabies is to stay away from unfamiliar animals including stray cats, stray or loose dogs, and wild animals such as raccoons, squirrels, foxes, etc.

If you see an unfamiliar animal:

• Do not touch, hold, or attempt to capture it.
• Use caution and try to avoid the animal.
• If the animal is in your backyard, go inside.
• For loose or stray dogs, contact the local dog control officer.
• If domestic and with their owner, ask permission before approaching.
• If the animal is openly aggressive (attacking or attempting to attack others), call 9-1-1.

Daniel Scherrer, Director of Environmental Health, reiterates the importance of staying away from unfamiliar animals, “Stray and wild animals may look cute and friendly, but it’s not worth the risk of potentially exposing yourself to rabies by touching them. It’s always best to admire wildlife from a distance.”

Tioga County Public Health would also like to remind residents to keep their pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations. For our 2025 Rabies Vaccination Clinic schedule, visit ph.tiogacountyny.gov.

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