Steps should be taken to exclude bats from houses and other structures by sealing the openings they use. The entry points are often near the roof edge such as under the eaves, soffits, and bands around the chimney. Yes, unvaccinated domestic animals can contract rabies from wild animals and transmit the infection to humans. There are safe and effective vaccines to protect dogs, cats, horses, cattle, and sheep against rabies. Unvaccinated pets or livestock that have had contact with a known or suspect rabid animal must be euthanized to avoid the risk of coming down with rabies, or placed in strict isolation from humans and other animals for a period of six months, until it is certain that the animal is free of rabies.
Raccoons are very good at spreading rabies.
When rabid raccoons enter an area, many other types of animals acquire rabies from raccoons. From 1989 through 1997, over 3,500 New Jersey animals were found to have rabies as a result of the raccoon rabies epizootic. Twelve other species of animals were also diagnosed with rabies. This vaccine has recently been approved for general use by the United States Department of Agriculture and could be used by municipalities to reduce or control the spread of rabies in raccoon populations. However, state review and approval is needed to purchase this vaccine and its use would not replace traditional rabies control measures, such as domestic animal vaccination and animal control activities.