Rabies Vaccine in Altamonte Springs, FL, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Altamonte Springs is a vet in Altamonte Springs, FL, that gives rabies vaccines to dogs and cats and hands you the rabies certificate the same day. Florida law requires every dog, cat and ferret 4 months or older to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed vet.

After the first shot, a booster is due 12 months later. From then on, the timing follows the vaccine label, usually every 1 or 3 years.

Call (407) 707-8525, book online or walk in for a rabies shot.

What does Florida law require?

Florida Statutes 828.30 sets three rules for pet parents:

1. Every dog, cat and ferret 4 months or older must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian, with a USDA-licensed vaccine.

2. A second shot 12 months after the first. After that, the interval follows the vaccine maker's directions.

3. A rabies certificate. The vet gives you a signed certificate and also sends the information to the local animal control authority.

A vet can exempt a pet in writing if age or illness makes the shot unsafe, but that is rare.

Is rabies really around Altamonte Springs?

Yes, in wildlife. The Florida Department of Health in Seminole County says raccoons and bats are the main wildlife sources of rabies in Florida. On Aug 14, 2026, it issued a 60-day rabies alert after a raccoon captured in the Tuskawilla community of Winter Springs tested positive, and a July 2026 advisory followed a rabid raccoon in Sanford.

Both alerts gave the same advice: keep pets vaccinated, supervised and on a leash, and stay away from wild or stray animals. A raccoon in the yard at dusk or a bat in the garage is a good reason to check your pet's rabies date.

How often does my pet need a rabies booster?

• First shot: at 12 to 16 weeks for puppies and kittens, or at the first visit for an older pet with no records.

• Second shot: 12 months later, as Florida law requires.

• After that: every 1 or 3 years, depending on which vaccine was used. Your certificate shows the next due date.

If your pet's rabies shot has lapsed, come in soon. The vet will tell you whether it counts as a booster or as a new first dose.

What does a rabies shot cost?

Rabies vaccines are usually given at a wellness exam, which starts at $99 at Petfolk Altamonte Springs, or is included with PetfolkCare, which starts at $199 a year. The vaccine is priced separately. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

Keep the certificate handy

You'll want the rabies certificate for boarding, daycare, grooming and travel. Seminole County Animal Services also asks for it, along with proof that the pet is yours, when you reclaim a lost pet from the county shelter in Sanford. Snap a photo of it on your phone the day you get it.

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, so the shot is quick and paired with treats. Cats can stay in the bottom of the carrier.

If your pet tangles with a wild animal

Call Petfolk Altamonte Springs the same day if your pet was bitten or scratched by a raccoon, bat, fox or stray, even if your pet is up to date. Wear gloves to handle your pet, and don't touch the wild animal. Health officials may decide whether a biting animal needs a 10-day quarantine or testing. For deep or heavily bleeding bites, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as VEG Winter Park on W Fairbanks Ave.

Get your pet's rabies shot

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Altamonte Springs is at 999 N State Rd 434, Suite 1010, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714. Call (407) 707-8525. See also dog vaccines in Altamonte Springs.

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