01/29/2026
🐾 Rabies Cases Are Rising — Here’s Why Yearly Vaccination Matters
We’ve seen an increase in rabies-positive cases across the United States – 2025 data from the CDC is already reporting 2,000+ animal cases. From 2015 to 2024, 17 cases of human rabies were documented. Under Louisiana state law, pet owners are required to have dogs, cats, and ferrets vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian once they are over 3 months of age. As veterinarians, this policy is something we take very seriously — because rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms appear and can be transmitted to people.
We understand that some owners have concerns about vaccines. However, rabies is unique — it is fatal, preventable, and a serious public health threat. Rabies vaccines are NOT mRNA vaccines in the Unites States- they are inactivated (killed) vaccines that have been used safely and effectively for decades. Vaccination is the safest and most responsible choice.
In short, the rabies vaccine:
✔️ Protects your pet from a deadly disease
✔️ Protects your family and community
✔️ Keeps your pet legally compliant
✔️ Prevents difficult (and expensive) quarantine or euthanasia decisions after wildlife exposure
Rabies vaccination isn’t just about your pet — it’s a critical public health responsibility. If your pet isn’t current, now is the time to schedule an appointment.
🐶🐱 Stay protected. Stay proactive. Stay vaccinated!
Learn about rabies animal surveillance and rabies prevention and control in the United States
