Purpose: To inform clinical decision making regarding the use of passive drains and primary wound closure when treating animal bites and stings to the hand in a rural setting. Methodology: Audit approval was gained through GEKO®. A retrospective audit on all animal bites/stings to the hand, managed operatively from January 2017 to January 2024 by either debridement and the wound left open, or primary closure after debridement with a passive drain. Results: 768 traumatic wounds to the hand required operative management during the study period. There were 70 cases of traumatic wounds due to animal bites/stings. Patients were predominately female (56%). The mean age was 41 years. The youngest patient was 12 years old. The oldest patient was 79 years old. There were 50 dog bites (71%), 12 cat bites (17%), 2 injuries caused by marine animals (3%), 2 spider bites (3%), 2 horse bites (3%), 1 cow bite (1%) and 1 lizard bite (1%). A modified Penrose drain was used in 89% of the cases. 80% of cases with a drain were also primarily sutured. 71% of cases without a drain were left open. There were seven infectious complications identified in this study and only two complications to hands where a modified penrose drain and primary suturing were used (4.0%). Conclusion: Animal bites and stings to the hand can be safely managed closer to home by appropriately trained and supported rural general surgeons. This benefits local communities and can significantly reduce the number of patient transfers to tertiary centres.