There are three strains of rabies presently in Canada: "Arctic fox" (predominantly in foxes and skunks), raccoon strain, and a variety of bat strains. The animals in Canada most often proven rabid are terrestrial wild animals (such as skunks, foxes, and raccoons), bats, cattle, and stray cats and dogs. Statistics show that bats are the most frequently reported animals testing positive for rabies across Canada.

Squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, chipmunks, rats, mice or other small rodents, rabbits and hares are only rarely found to be infected with rabies because it is believed they are likely to be killed by the larger animal (such as a raccoon or a fox) that could have potentially transmitted rabies to them. Post-exposure prophylaxsis (PEP) should be considered only if the animal's behaviour was highly unusual. For example, a bite from a squirrel while someone is feeding it would not be considered unusual behaviour and PEP is not needed based on this information alone.

Larger rodents, such as groundhogs, woodchucks, and beavers, could carry rabies, although this is rare in Canada. Bites, scratches, or saliva contact from these larger animals require an assessment of the circumstances of the human contact to determine the need for PEP.