All animal bites must be reported to Animal Protection. If medical attention has been received after a bite, complete an Animal Bite Report.

Rabies has a strong presence in Travis County and the risk should not be taken lightly. Learn more about rabies

Animals that are currently vaccinated and were restrained at the time the bite occurred may qualify for home observation.

Received a yellow notice from Animal Protection? Please use the guide below to help you answer questions and guide you to come into compliance.

If You Are the Victim of an Animal Bite

Call 9-1-1 if you have been attacked, bitten, or scratched by a domestic or wild animal and need emergency care.

Wild Animals

File a report with Animal Protection by calling 3-1-1 (512-974-2000) or submitting an Animal Exposure Report, and consult your primary care provider about rabies post-exposure treatment as soon as possible. 

Domestic Animals

Please review and fill out an Animal Bite Report with the activity number listed on the yellow notice that you received.

If Your Own Animal Bit a Human

Owners of dogs involved in bite cases must provide a current rabies vaccination certificate to Animal Protection. If the animal is not currently vaccinated or if the vaccination status is unknown, the animal must be placed in quarantine and observed by a veterinarian.

Home Quarantine

If your animal was restrained (in your home, on a leash, or in a dog park) at the time of the incident, and your pet was current on their rabies vaccine at the time of the incident, your pet may be eligible to do a home quarantine. 

Dogs, cats or ferrets that are reported to have bitten or scratched a person must be observed for 10 full days from the date of the bite, regardless of rabies vaccination status. You are required to keep your pet confined at home for the duration of the observation period and certain conditions must be met.

Home Observation Requirements

Isolation

Your pet must be kept isolated for 10 full days from the date of the bite.  “Isolation” means that the animal under observation must be prevented from coming into contact with people or animals other than members of the immediate family, and the animal should not leave your property, even for walks or rides in the car. There should be no contact with visitors.

If your pet requires veterinary care during the observation period, be sure to tell the veterinarian that your pet is under rabies observation. Your pet should not receive any rabies vaccinations during the home observation period.

If you are unable to keep your pet isolated, or your pet is reported to be in violation of the observation agreement, the home observation will be revoked and your pet will be required to finish quarantine at a veterinarian’s office.

If your pet gets sick, exhibits abnormal behavior, dies, or runs away during the observation period, you must notify Animal Control immediately at 512-974-2000 or 3-1-1.

Health Check

An Animal Protection Officer or a veterinarian must observe the animal on the first and last day of the observation period.  You should ensure that either Animal Control or a veterinarian will be able to view your pet on those days. If you are not able to do so, please contact Animal Protection to make arrangements. 

The final health check will occur on the 11th day after the date of the incident. Failure to complete the final health check can result in citations being issued.
 

Vet Quarantine

If your animal was loose at the time of the incident, and/or your pet was not current on their rabies vaccine at the time of the incident, your pet needs to complete the rabies observation time at a vet clinic. Animal Protection will need to be notified of which vet clinic your pet goes to before the 10 days in over; failure to do so will result in a citation.

If Your Own Animal Came Into Contact With a High-Risk Rabies Vector
(Bat, Raccoon, Skunk, Fox, Coyote)

Your pet may have been exposed to rabies by the wild animal with which it has come in contact. State and local laws require that your pet be isolated at home for 45 or 90 days from the date of exposure, depending on rabies vaccination status. Proof of vaccination status is required. 

If your pet had a current rabies vaccination at the time of the exposure, we recommend getting a booster shot (rabies vaccination) as soon as possible. Then the animal shall be placed in home observation for 45 days. Please see Home Quarantine information above. 

If your pet was NOT current on rabies vaccine at the time of exposure, we recommend getting your pet the rabies vaccination as soon as possible. Then getting an additional booster shot at 3 weeks from the exposure and then again after 8 weeks of the exposure is recommended. The animal shall be placed in home observation for 90 days. Please see Home Quarantine information above.