– Do not hit the bat in the head
– Do not throw it in the garbage
– Do not release it outside
– Safely capture the bat
– Put on gloves and close all doors to the room where the bat is located
– Remove children and animals from the room with the bat
– When the bat lands slowly place a can or box over it and slide a piece of cardboard under the container to keep the bat inside
– Tape cardboard to the can or tape the box shut
– Remove gloves and wash your hands in warm soapy water for 20 seconds
– When you have safely captured the bat call the Seneca County Health Dept. at (315) 539-1945
Click here to view the most up-to-date New York State Environmental Health regulations
2136 Brown Street, Ovid, NY 14521
39 East Water Street, Waterloo, NY 13165
2017 County Road 135-A, Romulus, NY 14541
Rabies vaccination clinics are FREE to everyone. Pre-registration is required.
Registration can be done online using links found below, or by phone at 315-539-1671. If you have any questions, you can call Environmental Health at 315-539-1945 or email Rabies@co.seneca.ny.us.
Important reminders for SCHD Rabies Vaccination Clinics:
Rabies is a viral disease which almost always leads to death, unless treatment is provided soon after exposure. New York State frequently leads the nation in the number of rabid animals.
Seneca County Environmental Health Staff with the Seneca County Health Department remind all Seneca County residents to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against rabies exposure from bats and wild and stray animals.
The prevention of Rabies continues to be an important public health concern in Seneca County. When warm weather arrives, bats and wild animals become more active, so the possibility of human contact with animals that can transmit rabies increases. It is extremely important that any contact with stray animals, wild animals or bats should result in prompt notification to the Health Department.
Rabies is an infectious disease that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. People and unvaccinated animals can get rabies from the bite of an infected animal or from animal saliva entering a person’s eyes, nose, mouth or break in the skin. Vaccine is given to individuals exposed to rabies to prevent the disease. Rabies is nearly always fatal if treatment is not received soon after exposure.
The rabies virus can infect any mammal including dogs, cats, livestock, wildlife and humans. The vast majority of rabies cases reported each year occur in wild animals, such as raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes, but domestic animals such as cats, dogs, ferrets, and horses can become infected.
The best way to prevent rabies in pets is to make sure their rabies vaccinations are up to date. Free rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats, and ferrets are offered quarterly by the Seneca County Health Department. For more information on upcoming Rabies Vaccination Clinics in Seneca County call (315) 539-1945.
In the event of a bite or potential exposure to rabies, the following measures should be taken immediately:
To help protect your family and your pets from rabies:
Never approach or handle any unknown wild or domestic animals.
For more information on rabies and rabies prevention contact the Seneca County Health Department at (315) 539-1945 or click here to visit the NYS DOH web site.
2465 Bonadent Drive – Suite 3 • Waterloo, NY 13165
Public Health: (315) 539-1920
Environmental Health: (315) 539-1945