If an animal bites a human and breaks the skin, a quarantine of the animal may be required. Notify Animal Control as soon as possible after a bite occurs, so we may arrange for quarantine, if needed.
Reporting an Animal Bite
All bite incidents need to be reported to Animal Control. If bites are not reported, the important precaution of quarantine cannot be implemented.
Reporting an animal bite is also important because it documents animal behavior. If an animal has a history of biting, those bite incidents need to be reported so that action can be taken.
In the case of bites by wildlife, it is very important that Animal Control be called immediately so they can attempt to capture the biting animal. If the wild animal can be captured, it can then be tested for rabies. The Orange County Health Care Agency will make the determination on whether or not rabies treatment will be required.
Quarantine Guidelines
Dogs, cats, and many other warm-blooded mammals are subject to quarantine, even if they are current on their rabies vaccination.
Not all animals need to be quarantined. The Orange County Health Care Agency has determined that mice, rats, gophers, squirrels, chipmunks, guinea pigs, rabbits and other such rodents are among those animals not required to be quarantined.
Quarantine is usually 10 days for dogs and cats, 14 days for other animals, and is usually accomplished by restricting the animal to its home. In some cases the quarantine may be served at the Newport Beach Animal Shelter or another boarding facility that is approved by the animal control officer and/or the Orange County Health Care Agency.
Types of Quarantines
- Animal vs. Human: When any warm-blooded animal breaks the skin of a human with its teeth, the human may be exposed to rabies.
- Pet vs. Wildlife: When a pet has come in physical contact with a wild mammal (e.g., skunk, bat, raccoon, etc.)
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Government: When an animal comes into the United States from another country.
