Colorado Rabies FAQ

Rabies spreads primarily through the bite of rabid animals. It is fatal in humans once symptoms appear. Preventive treatment (post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP) is available if administered soon after exposure.

What animals are most likely to have rabies?

• Only mammals can carry rabies. Bats and skunks are the main sources of rabies in Colorado. Other mammals can be infected with rabies from bats and skunks. Domestic animals such as dogs, cats, cattle, and horses can become infected by being bitten by a rabid wild animal. 

How does an animal or person become infected with rabies?

• People, pets, and livestock can get rabies from animal bites or, rarely, from infected saliva getting into their eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound. Brain tissue can also be infectious and should not be handled.

How do I know if an animal has rabies?

• The first sign of rabies is usually a change in the animal’s behavior. Animals may act more aggressive or more tame than usual. Nocturnal animals such as skunks, foxes, and bats may be out during the day. Rabid animals may stagger, tremble, or seem weak. Bats may be found on the ground, unable to fly. Rabid animals may appear agitated and excited, or paralyzed and frightened. Sometimes, rabid animals do not show any signs of illness before death from rabies. If a wild animal does not run away when you approach it, it may be sick or injured. Do not try to help it. If an animal is acting strangely, stay away from the animal and contact your local health department. The only way to confirm whether a wild animal has rabies is to test its brain. Domestic animals may be confined and observed. If a dog, cat, or ferret is alive 10 days after biting a person, the dog, cat, or ferret did not have rabies at the time of the bite.

Why are there concerns about skunks and rabies?

• Skunk rabies spreads rapidly and infects large numbers of skunks. The disease often spreads to other wildlife and pets, making human exposure more likely. Because skunks live on the ground and may seek shelter and food where pets and livestock live, humans and animals are much more likely to come into contact with them than bats. 

How will I know if a skunk or bat has bitten one of my animals?

• It is extremely difficult to see a bat bite, even on a human who knows where he or she was bitten. Bat bites leave almost no mark behind but can still spread rabies. Skunk teeth also are small enough that it may be difficult to tell whether a pet has been bitten. Any animal that is found unattended or in close contact with a skunk or bat is assumed to be at risk for rabies unless rabies testing of the wild animal shows it was not infected.

Should I trap skunks on my property and move them?

• Never trap and relocate wildlife! It is illegal for the public to trap and relocate skunks, foxes, and many other types of wildlife in Colorado without a permit or other approval. Trapping also puts yourself and others at risk for rabies. Contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife for information on permitted activities.

What is the best way to avoid rabies?

• Keep your pets up to date on rabies shots and avoid contact with wildlife. A licensed veterinarian will ensure your animals are properly vaccinated by recommending boosters based on manufacturer guidelines, storing the vaccine at proper temperatures, ensuring your animal is old enough and healthy enough for vaccination, and keeping proper records.
• Have wildlife infestations into homes, cabins, or other structures mitigated by professionals.

Eight ways to protect yourself and your family

1. Do not feed, touch, or adopt wild animals, and be cautious of stray dogs and cats. Rabid animals do not always appear vicious!
2. Teach children to leave wildlife alone. Be sure your child knows to tell you if an animal bites or scratches them.
3. Have your veterinarian (or local animal shelter) vaccinate your pets and livestock against rabies. Keep their vaccinations up to date.
4. Tightly close garbage cans and feed bins. Open trash and feed bags attract wild or stray animals to your home or yard.
5. Feed your pets indoors; never leave pet food outside as this attracts wildlife.
6. Keep outdoor pets in a fenced yard.
7. Avoid all contact with bats, especially bats found on the ground. If you find a bat on the ground, don’t touch it. Report the bat and its location to your local animal control officer or health department.
8. Call your doctor right away if an animal bites you. Contact your local health department to report the incident.

Which animals should I vaccinate against rabies?

• Vaccinate all dogs, cats, pet ferrets, and mammalian livestock. Reptiles and birds cannot be infected with rabies, and small rodents are unlikely to come into contact with wild bats or skunks and do not need to be vaccinated.

What will happen if my pet is bitten by a rabid animal?

The outcome for pet dogs, cats, and ferrets varies based on their rabies vaccination status:

• Animals that have documentation of prior rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian are given a “booster” rabies vaccine and observed at home for 45 days (watched for disease symptoms).
• Pets that have never had their rabies shots, have no documentation of shots, or had shots administered by someone other than a licensed veterinarian, and have had contact with a known or suspected rabid animal must be either euthanized or placed in a strict facility quarantine for a period of four months (120 days). The quarantine must take place in a facility approved by the local health department and at the expense of the owner. The pet must be completely isolated from humans and other animals during this period to prevent the risk of rabies spreading.
  • Please note that the option of quarantine for unvaccinated pets exposed to rabies may not be available in all circumstances and is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
  • In cases where strict facility quarantine is unavailable, the exposed pet must be euthanized to protect public health.
• Pets that are overdue for rabies vaccine and do not have documentation but are likely to have been vaccinated in the past will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
• These requirements are designed to protect both the family of the pet/livestock owner and the community.

Guidelines for Pet Confinement

Based upon the circumstances involved in the bite and the vaccination status of the animal involved, one of the following quarantine plans will be required at the discretion of the animal control officer or local public health agency involved:

Quarantine Plans

A. Close Observation

• The animal shall be kept on the owner's property.
• The owner shall be informed of potential rabies risk from confining the animal.
• The owner shall be required to notify the enforcing agency of unusual behavior or change in the health status of the pet.

B. Strict Confinement

• The animal shall be kept on designated property (i.e. in the house, garage, or other escape-proof building or enclosure approved by the local director of health).
• The animal shall be leash-walked under immediate control of an adult on the property designated for confinement.
• The owner shall be informed of the potential for rabies in their animal and given instructions in writing.
• The owner is required to notify the enforcing agency immediately of unusual behavior or change in the health status of the pet.

C. Strict Facility Quarantine

• The animal shall be confined off of the owner's property at a designated facility (i.e., animal shelter, veterinary hospital or qualified commercial kennel).
• A strict quarantine on the owner’s property may be possible at the discretion of the enforcing animal control and/or public health agency.
• In the case of death of a quarantined animal, the facility and owner must contact the enforcing animal control and/or public health agency. The animal MUST NOT be disposed of without approval by the enforcing animal control and/or public health agency. 

Facility used for quarantine shall:

• Ensure an escape-proof environment which prevents human and other animal contact.
• Be verifiable (i.e., subject to unannounced periodic spot checks by the animal control or local health department).
• Be able to accommodate minimum standards of animal welfare by providing free access to food, water, shelter, freedom from fear and anxiety (Companion animal care guidelines | American Veterinary Medical Association)

If at any point during the 120-day quarantine period, the animal becomes severely ill and unable to be treated, or develops signs of rabies, or the owner or facility is unable to continue the quarantine and no alternative arrangements for confinement can be made and agreed upon, the animal must be euthanized and cannot be released.