With spring here I thought this would be a good time to talk about rabies vaccination. The drought last year and likely similar conditions this year will bring wildlife, pets and people closer together. We already are seeing more bite wounds as the weather warms and dogs and cats spend more time outside. Our hospital has already had several pets that had to begin rabies quarantine due to being out of date on their rabies vaccine.

The state site for rabies information is www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/vet.html.

The Orange County site is www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices/rabies/asp.

The owner of any dog or cat is required by state law to keep their pet current on rabies vaccination. Rabies is a deadly viral disease with no practical treatment. Almost all human rabies exposure occurs via a bite wound from an animal.

The best prevention for people and their pets is to make sure all cats, dogs and in some areas ferrets are current on their rabies vaccines. Veterinary hospitals can vaccinate pets, and low-cost rabies clinics are held frequently as well.

To find out where and when rabies clinics are held, contact your local animal control division, shelter or humane society.