Environmental Health Home Page
Guidelines for Quarantine
Dogs that do NOT have a current rabies vaccination are NOT eligible for a home quarantine and must be quarantined at a facility.
Follow these procedures when home quarantine is allowed under Wisconsin State Statutes 93.07(10) and 95.21(10)(b):
During quarantine, the animal must be kept in strict isolation which means away from other people or animals and in a facility where it can not escape or be stolen. At a minimum, there at least 10 days of quarantine beginning from the date of the bite, there must be three examinations of the quarantined animal. Under Waukesha County’s local rabies control program, the County Humane Officer, makes two observations of the quarantined animal with the third examination before release from quarantine made by a licensed veterinarian who is a member in good standing of the Waukesha County Veterinary Medical Association. The quarantine ends only when the veterinarian signs the release papers. Alternatively, all 3 observations can be done by the veterinarian. It is the responsibility of the owner (owner is defined as a person who owns, harbors, keeps or controls an animal) to make the appropriate appointments with the veterinarian for the required examination(s) and for payment of all professional fees. The isolation facility must be approved by the Humane Officer.
If the quarantined animal’s behavior or appearance changes or if the animal becomes ill, you must notify the department immediately by telephoning
(262) 896-8300. On week-ends or after normal working hours telephone the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department at (262) 548-7117. The dispatcher will contact the Humane Officer for follow-up.
To prevent unnecessary potential exposures to rabies, only one adult person should be involved with the caretaking of the quarantined animal.
If the quarantined animal is a dog, it can only be taken out on a leash to relieve itself. If the quarantined animal is a cat or ferret, it cannot be allowed to go outside at all. We cannot take the risk of the animal running away, getting injured or coming in contact with something that would cause it to become ill.
Dogs that do not have a current rabies vaccination must be vaccinated after release from quarantine. A dog can NOT be vaccinated for rabies or any other vaccinations during the quarantine. Also, dogs must have a current license. Some municipalities require cats to have a current rabies vaccination. Cats and ferrets can NOT be vaccinated for rabies or any other vaccinations during the quarantine. Cats and ferrets may be vaccinated for rabies at the time of release from quarantine and obtain a license if required by the municipality.
If your dog is unvaccinated for rabies, it must be vaccinated at the time of release from quarantine. Attach a copy of your certificate of rabies vaccination to one of your two copies of the “Order of Quarantine” and return to the Environmental Health Division to verify compliance.
Failure of an owner to comply with an order to quarantine may result in a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 or imprisonment up to 60 days or both.
Failure to vaccinate an animal against rabies may result in a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $100.
YOU MAY NOT MEDICATE WITHOUT VETERINARY SUPERVISION OR DISPOSE OF THE ANIMAL IN ANY WAY DURING THE QUARANTINE. THE ANIMAL SHALL NOT BE DESTROYED OR REMOVED FROM PREMISES WITHOUT THE WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE HUMANE OFFICER.
