Question We are on the "hunt" for a new pet, we have visited several shelters and homes, even took one dog home to have to return him because he wasn't right for us.
Anyway, my question is this, when you go through a shelter and you play with the dogs, they lick and sometimes scratch etc. Many of them have not had their rabies shots yet how can I be sure our family is safe from rabies exposure? Is rabies exposure likely in this setting, likely from a lick or a scratch? These scratches I speak of are usually just skin marks from them jumping that usually go away with in 24 hours or less. Anything you can tell me would be much appreciated, I feel like running to the Dr. everytime a strange dog (and they are all strange at the shelter since the background is not known) jumps on me, licks or scratches me.
AnswerHi Rhonda,
Rabies is fatal for dogs. No dog in a shelter would have rabies. They might have other diseases, so a trip to the Vet before you finalize plans is worth the money to be sure your newest family member is well. No reputable shelter would deny this to you.
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I am a member of my county SPCA and the American Humane Society and the Kentucky Golden Retriever Rescue Service. We have 4 dogs of all sizes living IN our house with us and wouldn't have it any other way :-).
