DOH-Polk Reminds Residents to Avoid Contact with Wild and Stray Animals

Contact:  
Lydia George, Public Information Officer
Lydia.George@flhealth.gov
863-578-2146 

Polk County, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk) urges residents to avoid contact with wild and stray animals to prevent rabies exposure.

 Take the following precautions to prevent rabies exposure: 

• Immunize your pets and livestock based on your veterinarian’s recommended schedule. 
• Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash, and keep livestock secured on your property. If an animal bites your pet or livestock, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control at 863-577-1762 
• Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract them with outdoor pet food, open garbage cans, or other sources of food. If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention, and report the injury to DOH-Polk by calling 863-519-8300. 
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home; instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. 
• Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood. Contact Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control at 863-577-1762. 
• Prevent wildlife, including bats, from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, schools, and other similar areas where they might come in contact with people and pets. 

For more information on rabies, please visit FloridaHealth.gov/Rabies or contact DOH-Polk at 863-519-8300.