Rabies
Rabies is a preventable viral disease that affects the central nervous system. When an infected animal bites or scratches, the virus can be transmitted through the saliva. Animals such as raccoons, bats and foxes are likely to be infected. They can pass the disease onto domestic animals such as dogs, cats and ferrets. Humans can also get rabies through the bite and scratches of these infected animals. Therefore, it is important to protect yourself and your animals from rabies. The Montgomery County Office of Public Health's (OPH) Rabies Prevention Program provides services such as animal bite reporting, animal testing and the rabies vaccination for animals to protect residents from rabies.
CDC Rabies Home Page
PA Bureau of Laboratories
PA Department of Agriculture
For More Information
CDC Rabies Home Page
PA Bureau of Laboratories
PA Department of Agriculture
- Animal Bite Reporting
- Rabies Testing
- PEP Guidelines for People
- Rabies Vaccine for Pets
- Animal Control Services
All animal bites are reportable to the OPH. If an animal scratches or bites another animal and/or person, the incident must be reported due to the OPH's Rabies Prevention Program. There are 3 animal bite report forms: Human Bite, Wound of Known, and Wound of Unknown. The appropriate animal bite form should be completed, then faxed to the OPH.
Human Bite Report Form
Report when a person has a possible rabies exposure through a bite, scratch or contact with saliva of an animal.
FORMS
Human Bite Report Form
Report when a person has a possible rabies exposure through a bite, scratch or contact with saliva of an animal.
Rabies Examination Form
A Rabies Examination Form should be completed by a licensed veterinarian after an animal's quarantine period. Quarantine periods for human exposure incidences are 10 days. For further questions or concerns contact the OPH.
CDC Rabies Home Page
A Rabies Examination Form should be completed by a licensed veterinarian after an animal's quarantine period. Quarantine periods for human exposure incidences are 10 days. For further questions or concerns contact the OPH.
For more information
CDC Rabies Home Page
If an animal is suspected of having rabies, it can be tested at the Pennsylvania Bureau of Laboratory (PA BOL). An animal will only be tested if it fulfills the specimen submission guidelines. To determine if the animal can be submitted for testing, call the Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) at 610-278-5117.
Submitting Specimens to Pennsylvania Bureau of Laboratory
An animal can be tested if it fulfills the specimen submission guidelines and is approved by the OPH. It is important to prepare the animal before submitting the animal to PA BOL so it can be tested. This is especially important for bats, raccoons or stray cats. To prepare the animal for PA BOL, complete the following steps:
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Animal is Alive |
Animal is Deceased |
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If animal weighs less than 2lbs, place animal in a sealed box |
If animal weighs less than 2lbs, store animal in a sealed box and keep it in a refrigerator or at 4˚C |
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If animal weighs more than 2lbs, bring it to a veterinary hospital to be prepared for testing |
If animal weighs more than 2lbs, the animal must be kept cold and brought to a veterinary hospital to be prepared for testing. |
Important note: Do not put the animal in the freezer, this will disrupt the testing.
For more Information
PA Bureau of Laboratories
If you are bitten by an animal that cannot be located after its indicated quarantine period or if you were bitten by an animal suspected of rabies that cannot be tested, there is a strong possibility that you may require postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). To determine if you should get PEP, you should contact your physician or the Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH), 610-278-5117.
PEP or postexposure prophylaxis will protect you from rabies exposure. PEP consists of a dose of human rabies immune globulin and rabies vaccine given on the day of the exposure, and then another rabies vaccine given again on days 3, 7, and 14.
PEP should be administered when an animal cannot be located and/or tested or if you were bitten by an animal that tested positive for rabies. To determine if you should receive PEP, contact your physician or the OPH (610-278-5117).
PEP can only be administered in the Emergency Room. If you have any additional questions about PEP, you should contact your physician or the OPH (610-278-5117)
CDC Rabies Home Page
What is PEP?
PEP or postexposure prophylaxis will protect you from rabies exposure. PEP consists of a dose of human rabies immune globulin and rabies vaccine given on the day of the exposure, and then another rabies vaccine given again on days 3, 7, and 14.
When should you get PEP?
PEP should be administered when an animal cannot be located and/or tested or if you were bitten by an animal that tested positive for rabies. To determine if you should receive PEP, contact your physician or the OPH (610-278-5117).
Where can you get PEP?
PEP can only be administered in the Emergency Room. If you have any additional questions about PEP, you should contact your physician or the OPH (610-278-5117)
For more Information
CDC Rabies Home Page
The Montgomery County Public Health Code requires all dogs, cats and ferrets more than 3 months of age to be vaccinated against rabies. As part of the county’s Rabies Prevention and Control Program, we want to ensure residents stay informed about low-cost options available in the community to assist in keeping rabies vaccination current at all times.
Montgomery Hose Fire Company
201 Freedley Street
Norristown, PA 19401
Saturday, September 15, 2018
9am - 12pm
Diane's Discount Pet Supplies and Adoption Center
1405 Pottstown Pike
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-970-7500
First Saturday of each month
If you are a community-based organization that provides low-cost rabies vaccine to pets and would like to be added to this list, please contact the Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Rabies Prevention and Control Program at 610-278-5117.
CDC Rabies Home Page
PA Department of Agriculture
Clinics Sponsored by the Montgomery County Office of Public Health
Montgomery Hose Fire Company
Norristown, PA 19401
Saturday, September 15, 2018
9am - 12pm
Other Vaccine Clinics in Montgomery County
Diane's Discount Pet Supplies and Adoption Center
1405 Pottstown Pike
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-970-7500
First Saturday of each month
If you are a community-based organization that provides low-cost rabies vaccine to pets and would like to be added to this list, please contact the Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Rabies Prevention and Control Program at 610-278-5117.
For more Information
CDC Rabies Home Page
PA Department of Agriculture
Montgomery County Office of Public Health’s (OPH) main concern is rabies prevention due to the Rabies Prevention Program. Although, all animal bites must be reported to OPH, the main mission is to ensure that everyone is healthy and safe from rabies.
As a result, Animal Control Services should be contacted in terms of dangerous dogs, animal nuisance issues (i.e. wandering animals, animal noise complaints, etc.), or general animal complaints.
| Name | Title | Address | Contacts | Municipalities Covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ron Griffith | Animal Control Officer | Abington Police Department Animal Control 1166 Old York Road Abington, PA 19001 | P: 267-536-1100 ext. 1590 F: 267-536-1056 | Abington |
| Glen Coffin | Animal Control Officer | Bryn Athyn Police Department Animal Control 2825 Buck Road Bryn Athyn, PA 19009 | P: 215-947-0188 F: 215-947-1345 | Bryn Athyn |
| Dan Lannutti Mike Good | Animal Control Officers | Cheltenham Police Department Animal Control 8320 Old York Road Elkins Park, PA 19027 | P: 215-855-1600 ext. 478 F: 215-887-1561 | Cheltenham |
| Rachael Demeter | Independent Animal Control Officer | Upper Perk Police Department 89th West 6th Street Pennsburg, PA 18073 | P: 277-371-3226 | East Greenville, Green Lane, Pennsburg, Perkiomen |
| Ed Boegly | Animal Control Officer | Lower Merion Police Department Animal Control 71 E Lancaster Ave. Ardmore PA 19003 | P: 610-645-6215 F: 610-642-4210 | Lower Merion |
| Paula Levis | Special Officer | Upper Merion Police Department 157 West Valley Forge King of Prussia, PA 19406 | P: 610-265-3232 F: 610-265-2711 | Upper Merion |
| Tracy and Jon Daywalt | Animal Control Officers | Pottstown Police Department Animal Control 100 East High Street Pottstown, PA 19464 | P: 610-970-4175 F: 610-970-2089 | Collegeville, Douglass, Limerick, Montgomery, New Hanover, Pottstown, Royersford, Skippack, Towamencin, Trappe, Upper Gwynedd, Upper Pottsgrove, Upper Providence, West Pottsgrove |