Onondaga County Health Department is nationally accredited and meets rigorous public health standards necessary to best serve the needs of our community.
Animal bite follow-up to ensure people with animal contact have proper follow-up through confinement and examination of animals or testing of specimens for rabies
Enforcement of rabies vaccination law
Education of the public and agencies on rabies prevention and animal disease prevention
Is your pet due for a rabies shot?
New York State Public Health Law requires that all puppies and kittens get their first rabies shot at three months of age, a booster shot at one year old, and then again every three years. Ferrets must get a shot every year. Veterinarian offices and some local pet supply stores can also provide the shot, call ahead for more information.
Rabies Testing of Animals in Onondaga County*
Animal:
2023
2024
2025 to Date
Tested
Positive
Tested
Positive
Positive
Bat
249
7
214
6
0
Cat
57
0
56
0
0
Dog
56
0
58
0
0
Skunk
79
4
43
3
0
Woodchuck
5
1
4
0
0
Raccoon
40
2
35
2
0
Fox
8
3
8
0
0
Other
8
0
10
0
0
Total
502
17
428
11
0
*There have been no reported human cases of rabies in Onondaga County during this time period.
Animal Bites
Health Care Providers
All animal bites involving a person must be reported to the Health Department within 72 hours using our online form or download a PDF form.
