Domestic pets that have been bitten by wild animals, or by an unknown assailant, will need to be checked for the virus as it spreads through bites or cuts, and likewise people that have been bitten should also undergo medical checks for the disease.

Lately there have been many reports of an increase in stray animals as owners find they cannot afford to feed them and simply turn them free; many of these animals are subsequently handed in to shelters, and stray cats and dogs can be prime candidates as carriers of rabies.

As we have already said it is possible for all animals both domestic and wild to contract rabies, and the condition can also be passed to humans through animal bites.

It is widely considered that wild animals are the most prone to the disease, as these are not subject to the checks and the general care that domestic pets are routinely given: Foxes and raccoons, and skunks and hogs are all common carriers of rabies, and in the wild should be avoided by both owners and pets to be sure to limit the chances of infection.

It is essential to stress again that any suspected case of rabies or any person or animal that has been bitten b y another, should seek medical help immediately, as rabies is a dangerous and sometimes fatal disease.

As we have already seen, rabies is a very dangerous illness that requires instant medical intention, and as such it is vital that all domestic pets undergo the correct routine of anti-rabies shots in order to help prevent infection.

Vaccination is carried out as a routine precaution on thousands of animals every day, and should be the first consideration for the owner of a new pet; dogs and cats are particularly susceptible, and universally popular, and need to be attended to as soon as they are of suitable age. Those pets that will be roaming outdoors with the likelihood of meeting other wild or domestic animals, cats in particular are the most vulnerable.

Animal shelters receive incoming stray pets every day, and these will be checked for and vaccinated against rabies, giving the potential owner the peace of mind that their new pet is healthy and protected. They will also be neutered or spayed to prevent unnecessary breeding, and as such buying a pet from a shelter is an affordable and sensible choice.