Episode Details

What does it take to protect a community from rabies before an animal ever reaches your backyard? In Harford County, part of the answer is a new pilot program that will place 15,000 oral rabies vaccine baits where raccoons are likely to find them.

Rich visits the Harford County Health Department to talk with Hannah Lux, Bonnie Harbin, and Ronya Nassar about the work behind the program and what residents need to know. Hannah and Bonnie explain how the baits work, why raccoons are the focus, and how the team chooses placement areas. They also address questions about pets, unusual wildlife behavior, and bats inside homes.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why vaccinating raccoons can help reduce rabies risk
• Where the pilot’s vaccine baits will be placed
• Why dogs and cats still need their regular rabies shots
• When a wildlife encounter warrants a call to the health department
• Why you should leave a vaccine bait in place if you find one

For local guidance, visit Harford County Health Department or call its Environmental Health office at 410-877-2300. If you found this conversation useful, share it with a pet owner and join the conversation by leaving a comment or reaching out to Rich directly.

Send us Fan Mail

Harford County Health Department
To protect, promote, and improve the health, safety, and environment of Harford County residents.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts 

Follow the Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast on Social Media:
Facebook – Conversations with Rich Bennett
Facebook Group (Join the conversation) – Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast group | Facebook
Twitter – Conversations with Rich Bennett
Instagram – @conversationswithrichbennett
TikTok – CWRB (@conversationsrichbennett) | TikTok

Sponsors, Affiliates, and ways we pay the bills:
Hosted on Buzzsprout
SquadCast

Subscribe by Email