Do I still need to vaccinate my cats and dogs against rabies?

Yes, unvaccinated domestic animals can contract rabies from wild animals and transmit the infection to humans. There are safe and effective vaccines to protect dogs, cats, horses, cattle, and sheep against rabies. You can get your pet vaccinated at a private veterinarian's office or at a municipal-sponsored rabies clinic (call your municipal clerk to ask about rabies clinics held in your area). Unvaccinated pets or livestock that has had contact with a known or suspects rabid animal must be euthanized to avoid the risk of coming down with rabies, or placed in strict isolation from humans and other animals for a period of six months until it is certain that the animal is free of rabies.

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1. What is the history of rabies in New Jersey?
2. How did the outbreak of rabies in raccoons get started in this part of the country?
3. What areas of New Jersey are affected the most?
4. How can I protect myself from being exposed to rabies?
5. How do I "animal-proof" my house and yard?
6. Do I still need to vaccinate my cats and dogs against rabies?
7. Why recommend that domestic animals get vaccinated if raccoons are the animals spreading rabies?
8. Can raccoons be vaccinated against rabies?
9. What should I do if I'm bitten or attacked by an animal?
10. Why does my dog or cat need to be observed if it bites someone?
11. If my ferret bites someone can my ferret be observed for 10 days?
12. Can I get rabies from a squirrel or a mouse?
13. Why do animals need to be killed in order to be tested for rabies?
14. How do people get rabies?
15. What are the symptoms of rabies in humans?
16. Is there a treatment for rabies?
17. What is the protocol for rabies post-exposure treatment?
18. What are the chances that I will get rabies if I am exposed to a rabid animal and don't get the rabies treatment?
19. How can rabies be prevented?