Bountiful Baby Wildlife; Let Them Stay Wild

Springtime is here and that means warmer temperatures, frogs calling, Virginia bluebells, and baby animals. Animal Protection Police, wildlife rehabilitators and animal caretakers receive the most calls about baby wildlife in spring and summer. In Fairfax County, residents frequently find young, wild animals that appear to be orphaned or abandoned and seek help from wildlife professionals to treat or raise

UPDATE: Great Falls-Area Fox Tested Positive for Rabies

A rabies test on the fox that bit a 71-year-old woman and attacked a house cat in the Great Falls area on March 7 returned positive. The Health Department is working with the woman to provide appropriate care. The cat continues to be quarantined. Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that can infect both people and animals. People usually

Animal Protection Police Investigating Two Fox Bite Cases in Springfield

On Monday, August 8, Fairfax County Animal Protection Police Officers responded to two reports of foxes that have come into contact with humans. The first incident occurred in the 8600 block of Kenilworth Drive, at around 10:33 a.m. An 81-year-old woman was in her front yard when she encountered and was bitten by a fox. She sought medical treatment at

Residents Who Encountered Rabid Cat Asked To Call Health Department

Residents are being asked to contact the Fairfax County Health Department if they encountered a rabid cat that attacked a pedestrian in the Springfield area on Sunday, June 5. The incident took place near the 6200 block of Levi Court. A man was walking along the Long Branch trail, about a quarter-mile north of Franconia-Springfield Metro Station, when he encountered

What You Need to Know About the Rabies Virus

In 2015, the Fairfax County Health Department Rabies Laboratory tested 328 animals for rabies. Four bats, five cats, three foxes, 29 raccoons and two skunks tested positive for the fatal disease. The animals that were tested had potentially exposed a person or domestic animal to rabies. Therefore, the lab’s work saved 285 people or domestic animals from unnecessary rabies vaccinations.