05/01/2026
🚨‼️ FIRST CASE OF RABIES CONFIRMED IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY FOR 2026 ‼️🚨
On 4/29/2026, NC State Lab of Public Health notified us at Rutherford County Animal Control Services that a groundhog from the vicinity of Oak Springs Baptist Church to the Rutherford County Airport of the Gilkey Township area had tested positive for rabies. There was no reported human exposure with the groundhog.
This is the 1st positive test for rabies in Rutherford County for 2026. The last positive rabies test confirmed by NC State Lab of Public Health was on 07/03/2025. That animal was also a groundhog from the city limits of Ruth/Township of Rutherfordton near the intersection of Alt Hwy 74 and Hwy 64 area.
Rutherford County Health Director and Rutherford County Animal Control Services advises that residents should be sure that their animals are under their direct control. Animals that are allowed to wander or run loose are at a greater risk of coming into contact with rabid animals. If your pet is exposed to a rabid animal and its rabies vaccinations are not up to date the pet will have to be euthanized or placed in a strict supervised quarantine at the owner’s expense for up to 4 months. If your animal has been vaccinated, it will need a booster vaccine if exposed to rabies.
During the next 6 months anyone living in the Gilkey Township area should watch for animals with unusual behavior and be sure all pets have current rabies vaccinations. NC State law requires that all cats and dogs have rabies vaccines at 4 months of age, a booster 12 months after the initial rabies vaccine and then a booster vaccine every three years.
All local veterinarians offer rabies vaccines in their offices. We at Rutherford County Animal Control Services also offer rabies vaccines. We have a low cost rabies vaccine clinic, which is the first Tuesday every month from 10:00am-4:00pm (no appointment needed) for $5 per vaccine, as well as scheduled appointments Monday through Friday for $10 per vaccine. Our next clinic is May 5th and we have many available appointments throughout the week for dogs, cats, and ferrets!
Anyone who sees an animal displaying abnormal behaviors, please call us at 828-980-0016 during 10:00am–4:00pm, Monday-Friday; after hours, holidays and weekends call Communications at 828-286-2911.
We’re committed to keeping our community and every pet in it safe, so please share this with all pet owners and non-pet owners. Rabies is a serious matter we can not ignore.