Q. What is a rabies quarantine?
A. A rabies quarantine is a period of observation, either at home or at an approved location, where the animal suspected of being involved in a bite scratch, or exposure can be watched to determine if there is any danger of the animal transmitting the rabies virus. The quarantine period for most animals is 10 days from the date the exposure occurred.

Q. My pet is vaccinated against rabies. Why do I have to quarantine it?
A. No vaccination is 100% effective. The law requires all domestic animals be quarantined after any reported bite/scratch/exposure incident.

Q. What do I have to do now that my animal is under quarantine?
A. Your pet must be confined to the approved location 24 hours a day until seen and released from quarantine by a health officer. Quarantine regulations require that the animal be kept in an area that is inaccessible to non-family members.

Q. What if I don't comply with these regulations?
A. Home quarantine is a courtesy designed to minimize the disruption, expense, and inconvenience an animal bite incident can cause, and is dependant upon owner compliance with the quarantine regulations. Failure to comply will result in the animal being confined at the Wichita Animal Shelter or an alternate kennel approved by the health officer. You as the pet's owner/harborer, will be responsible for any expenses associated with the need to board the animal due to failure or inability to comply.

Q. What do I need to look for during my pet's quarantine?
A. The main things to look for are significant changes in the animal's behavior, general health, or demeanor. Some manifestations of rabies virus infection in domestic animals are extreme agitation, excessive or unusual vocalizations, profuse salivation, inability to close its mouth or swallow, signs of illness and/or death.

Q. What will the Environmental Services Department do once the confinement is underway?
A. The Environmental Services Department is here to answer your questions or concerns you may have pertaining to your pet's quarantine. Please feel free to contact our rabies control unit at 268-8473 if you have any questions. We may request to view the animal at any time during the quarantine, and will come out and release the animal from quarantine on or shortly after the 10-day quarantine expires. It is required as part of the home quarantine agreement that the animal be available for inspection upon request.

Q. This "bite" didn't even break the skin! Why do I have to quarantine my pet?
A. The law defines an animal bite as an actual or suspected abrasion, scratch, puncture, tear, bruise, or piercing of the skin caused by any animal. The rabies virus can be transmitted through microscopic openings in the skin; therefore, quarantines are necessary to comply with the law, and to insure against human outbreaks of rabies in our community.

Q. The victim was provoking my pet. They were asking for it! Why should I quarantine my pet?
A. The quarantine is required as a matter of public health, the circumstances play no part in whether or not an animal is quarantined.

Q. I don't believe this bite ever happened. Why should I quarantine my pet?
A. In the interest of public health and the fact that rabies is a fatal disease, any reported bite, scratch, or possible exposure must be treated as valid and true.

The bottom line...

The rabies quarantine is necessary to protect everyone from the spread of a potentially deadly disease. Home quarantine is more convenient and less expensive than quarantine at a kennel or animal shelter, and is dependant upon your cooperation as a responsible pet owner. Chances are your pet is not rabid and this minor inconvenience will only be a memory in a few days. Your cooperation in this important public health program is greatly appreciated.

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