Why Rabies Vaccination is Important

Rabies is a very important vaccine to keep your animal up to date on for your pets health. The disease is fatal to dogs, cats, humans, and any other warm blooded mammal on earth. There are so many pet owners who do not vaccinate their animals and as far as I am concerned, it should almost be animal cruelty if you do not.
Rabies is a neurologic disease that affects the whole body. It causes hypersalivation (too much saliva), foaming at the mouth, rage, inability to drink or eat, and eventually death. Rabies sometimes does not show signs for about 10-14 days. It is spread by a contaminated animal biting another animal. If your pet is current on the vaccine, you have no need to worry. If your pet is not, then you risk exposing yourself, your children, or any other human.
Some pet owners say they don't vaccinate because their pet is indoors only. While that pet is at a decreased risk, it is not 100% protected. Bats carry rabies and they certainly can and do fly into houses. Also, some cats and dogs have a knack for taking advantage of an open door with no one standing guard. Any wild animal with Rabies will not be afraid. They will be out in the daylight and will come right up to your pet or you. At that point, they attack.
Another issue many people do not think about is the laws concerning rabies vaccination and what you must do if your pet bites someone. In the USA, any dog or cat owned by someone must be current on the rabies vaccine. There are 1 year and 3 year rabies vaccines. Some states now have a law that says any dog or cat overdue for a rabies vaccine by even 24 hours can only get a one year vaccine. You must then get your pet to the vet before that expires to get the 3 year vaccine. Only a licensed veterinarian can give a rabies vaccine. If any breeder or other source tells you they gave a rabies vaccine, they are not being truthful.
Each state is different in how they deal with a pet who is not up to date on rabies and it bit someone. It sometimes involves a quarantine either at home or at a veterinary hospital. A quarantine would mean that your dog can have no human or other animal contact for a certain amount of time as determined by your state laws. There is usually a pricey fine that goes along with not having your pet current on rabies. A rabies vaccine is about $20-$50 usually. Another law some states adhere to is that the animal who bit must be euthanized and decapitated. The head of the animal is then sent in for rabies testing. There is no simple blood test for rabies, the only test is called an IFA (immunoflourescent assay). The animal's brain is injected with dye and a special light is used to determine if that animal has rabies.
Instead of worrying about wild life coming into your house or yard, paying a heavy fine, or having to euthanize your pet, you can simply keep your pet vaccinated for rabies. It's the law, it's the right thing to do to protect your pet, and it gives you peace of mind as a pet owner.