06/18/2026
🚨Rabies Is Still a Very Real Threat, Protect Your Pets and Your Family🚨
A recent case right here in Polk County serves as an important reminder of why rabies vaccinations are required by law and so critical for the health and safety of both pets and people.
An unvaccinated stray cat in Lakeland recently tested positive for rabies after attacking and biting five people and a puppy. The victims included children, and the attacks were largely unprovoked. The exposed puppy now faces quarantine, and all human victims were advised to seek medical treatment.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals, including dogs, cats, wildlife, and humans. Once clinical signs develop, rabies is almost always fatal. The good news is that rabies is preventable through routine vaccination.
💉Why vaccinate your pet?
✅ Protects your pet from a deadly disease
✅ Protects your family and community
✅ Required by Florida law for dogs, cats, and ferrets
✅ Helps avoid costly quarantines and legal complications if your pet is exposed to a rabid animal
Even indoor pets can be exposed through encounters with bats, wildlife, or stray animals that enter yards and neighborhoods.
If your pet is due or overdue for a rabies vaccine, now is the perfect time to get them protected.
📞Contact us today to schedule your pet’s rabies vaccine appointment and help keep our community safe.
