Print This Page

Animal Bites & Pests

Animal Bite Reporting & Rabies Vaccines

If you are bitten by a dog, cat, or wild animal:

Contact your doctor or local emergency room to treat wounds as needed.
Report the bite to your local health department.
Franklin County Public Health: 280 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 525-3160
myfcph.org/animal-bites-quarantine-and-rabies-tags
Depending on the type of exposure, may need Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) shots to prevent rabies. The Health Department or your doctor can help you determine next steps.
odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/zoonotic-disease-program/rabies-pep
Report stray dogs to the Franklin County Department of Animal Control at (614) 525-3400.
dogs.franklincountyohio.gov/Services/Field-Services
For help with a wild animal, contact Ohio Wildlife Center at (614) 793-9453.
ohiowildlifecenter.org/found-an-animal

CDC Preventing Lyme Disease

This website from the CDC has important information on preventing tick bites and Lyme disease. Find tips for protecting people and pets from ticks, reducing tick habitats, and what to do after a tick bite. Healthcare providers can find resources for clinical care and education.
cdc.gov/lyme/prevention/index.html

Franklin County Public Health (FCPH)

FCPH offers many services and resources, including:

Birth/death certificates:
(614) 645-7331
columbus.gov/Services/Public-Health/Get-a-Birth-or-Death-Certificate
Vaccine Clinics: FCPH will not turn away anyone for inability to pay.
(614) 525-3719
cap4kids.org/columbus/fcph-immunizations
Healthy Home Assessment: Sign up for a free inspection, they provide safety improvements and home repair for income-eligible households.
myfcph.org/sustainability
Behavioral Health & Addiction Services: Peer recovery support, free Naloxone, and harm reduction resources.
(614) 561-8893
Children with Medical Handicaps Program: Get help with diagnosis, treatment, and service coordination.
(614) 525-5960
myfcph.org/children-with-medical-handicaps-cmh
Foodborne Illness Reporting: Incidents of food poisoning should be reported to your local public health office. In Franklin County, FCPH investigates cases of foodborne illness to correct problems. Visit the website to file a complaint, find food safety manuals, and find food license applications.
(614) 525-7462
myfcph.org/food-safety
Mosquito Management: Visit the website to learn about mosquitos and mosquito-borne illnesses in Franklin County. Residents can find spray schedules, sign up for spray notifications, report mosquito issues, or request service from a field inspector.
Mosquito Hotline: (614) 525-2483
mosquito.myfcph.org

280 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 525-3160
Weekend, Holiday and After-Hours Emergency Hotline: (614) 525-3965
Telecommunications for the Deaf: 711 or (800) 750-0750
Infectious Disease Reporting: (614) 525-8890
myfcph.org

Nemours KidsHealth and TeensHealth

These websites offer important health information for kids, teens, and their parents from health experts. Kids can find fun videos on how the body works and approachable answers to questions like, how do casts work? The teen website covers topics like depression, sexual health, smoking, coping with cliques, binge drinking, body image and much more. Parents can find medically-reviewed articles on how vaccines work, how to choose a car seat, developmental milestones, supporting kids’ emotional wellbeing, healthy eating, and more. Educators can also find free health-related lesson plans for PreK-12.
Kids: kidshealth.org/en/kids
Teens: kidshealth.org/en/teens
Parents: kidshealth.org/en/parents
Educators: kidshealth.org/classroom

Ohio Wildlife Center (OWC)

Helps protect and foster appreciation of Ohio’s native wildlife through rehabilitation, education, and wildlife health studies. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center provides treatment for injured, orphaned, and ill native wildlife. If you have found a wild animal that needs help, use the information on their website or call the Wildlife Information Line for next steps.
Rehabilitation Center: 6245 Cook Road, Powell, Ohio 43065
Wildlife Information Line: (614) 793-9453
What to do if you find an animal: ohiowildlifecenter.org/found-an-animal

The Education Center offers educational and community programming. Programs include summer day camps for ages 3-16 to explore natural sciences, animal care, outdoor activities, crafts, and more. Need-based aid is available to cover one week of camp per camper. They accept volunteers and offer a summer internship for ages 18+ in animal sciences and non-profit administration. Anyone can visit the center in-person to learn about wildlife, enjoy free events, or rent the facility for birthday parties.
Education Center: 9000 Dublin Road, Powell, Ohio 43065
(614) 734-9453
ohiowildlifecenter.org

Online Bedbug Information

Click the links below for information on ways to combat bedbugs: