Rabies

• Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies. By law, all dogs, cats and ferrets must be regularly vaccinated against rabies. The first round of vaccine lasts for one year. After that, your pet needs to get a three-year booster vaccine. Your dog’s rabies vaccinations need to be up-to-date to get a dog license in the City of Boston. Learn how to get a dog license.
• Keep your pet's vaccines up to date.
• Keep your pets in a fenced yard or on a leash and do not let them roam freely.
• Never approach animals you don’t know, even if they appear friendly or injured. Look out for animals that seem confused, aggressive, or unusually slow. Foaming at the mouth doesn't always mean an animal has rabies.
• Never handle wild animals or keep them as pets.
• Feed your pets indoors and make sure your garbage is contained.
• Avoid bats and learn how to keep bats out of your home.
• Keep your chimney capped.
• Repair holes in attics, cellars, and porches to help keep wild animals like bats and raccoons out of your home.

With the cleaning of green areas, wildlife is returning to the city. Wild animals now have more places to live and look for food in Boston. By respecting wildlife, you protect yourself, your pets, and other animals.