Thanks to vaccines, rabies is extremely rare among pets and farm animals. Since its reintroduction in Maine in 1994, terrestrial rabies has increased dramatically in Maine, especially in raccoons, skunks, woodchucks and foxes.
Bats are also high risk rabies vectors.
In 1997, there were 244 clinically confirmed cases of rabid animals in Maine. Suspected animals who have come in contact with either a human or domestic animal are tested by the Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory in Augusta. Rabid animals usually behave abnormally, but signs vary. Some animals appear shy and fearful, others become aggressive, and some may simply stumble as though drunk or appear lame. Contact with all wild animals - especially bats, skunks, foxes, raccoons, and woodchucks should be avoided.