Fairfax County Wildlife Biologist Shares Raccoon Information & Safety Tips

This raccoon was trapped in this dumpster; animal control officers responded and set it free. It did not exhibit any signs/symptoms of the rabies virus.

Raccoons are nocturnal and primarily active at night; however, it is not uncommon to see a raccoon during the day in urban and suburban areas as they seek out food sources and denning areas.

Simply seeing a raccoon during the day is not a sign of rabies.

If you see a raccoon showing the following signs that indicate a sick animal, contact Fairfax County Animal Control Services.

•  Staggering gait
• Oblivious to noise or nearby movement
• Erratic wandering or circling
• Excessive drooling
• Disorientation
• Wet and matted hair on face
• Repeated high-pitch vocalization
• Self-mutilation, biting, or snapping

Although the risk of contracting rabies is rare, steps should be taken to minimize the risk of exposure to you and your pets:

Don’t approach or handle wild animals, especially sick wild animals.

• Vaccinate your pets.
• Do not allow your pets to roam unattended. Walk pets on a leash.
• Do not feed wild or stray animals. Secure pet food and trash cans.
• Do not keep wild animals as pets.
• Report any sick or injured wild animals to Fairfax County Animal Control.

If bitten or scratched by a wild or stray animal or a pet that was seen acting strangely, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and apply antiseptic (if able).  Seek medical attention immediately. Rabies in humans is 100% preventable through prompt appropriate medical care.

To report an incident:

Call the Fairfax County Police Department’s Animal Control Services at 703-691-2131

Call the Fairfax County Health Department’s Rabies Coordinator to discuss the incident at 703-246-2433

For more information on rabies, please visit the Fairfax County Health Department website at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/rabies/.

For information on resolving human-wildlife conflicts, the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline is available toll-free at (855) 571-9003, 8:00AM-4:30PM, Monday through Friday. This helpline is a collaborative effort between the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Wildlife Services.