Rabies Vaccine in North Hills, Raleigh, NC, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - North Hills is a vet in North Hills, Raleigh, that gives rabies vaccines to dogs and cats. North Carolina law requires every dog, cat and ferret over four months old to be vaccinated against rabies. After the shot, you get a rabies certificate for daycare, boarding, groomers and your own records.

Rabies is a virus that attacks the brain. Once signs appear in a pet or a person, it can't be cured, which is why the law treats the vaccine as a must.

Call (984) 983-4900 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome.

What does North Carolina law require?

North Carolina General Statute 130A-185 says the owner of a dog, cat or ferret over four months of age must have the animal vaccinated against rabies. The same law says only a licensed veterinarian, a registered veterinary technician under a vet's direct supervision, or a certified rabies vaccinator can give the shot. At Petfolk North Hills the vaccine is given during an exam, and the certificate goes into your pet's record.

How often does my pet need a rabies shot?

The first rabies vaccine at Petfolk North Hills covers your pet for one year. After the one-year booster, many pets can move to a vaccine that lasts three years, depending on the product the vet uses and your pet's history. The certificate shows the exact due date, so you don't have to guess.

If a rabies shot is overdue, don't wait for the yearly checkup. Call or walk in and get it updated.

He normally can be nervous meeting new people, but they did a great job of examining him and giving him the shots he needed.

Matthew R., Google review

What if my pet is bitten or exposed?

Act fast. Wake County Public Health says a pet "must have a booster rabies shot within 72 hours if it is exposed to an animal that could be rabid" (wake.gov/rabies). Exposure can look like:

1. A fight with a raccoon, fox or skunk in the yard.

2. A bat found in the house, even if no bite was seen.

3. A bite from an unknown dog or a feral cat.

What to do:

• Don't touch the wild animal with bare hands.

• Wear gloves to handle your pet, since saliva may be on its coat.

• Call Petfolk North Hills right away for a booster and wound check.

• In Raleigh, report the animal to Raleigh Animal Control, which is part of the city police. Wake County says it does not have jurisdiction to enforce animal control laws inside Raleigh.

Why indoor pets still need it

Bats are the main reason. Wake County Public Health says most human rabies cases come from contact with infected bats, and it calls the cat the most commonly rabies-infected domesticated animal. Bats can slip into attics and living rooms through small gaps, and indoor cats are quick to catch them. A current vaccine keeps a surprise bat from turning into a bigger problem.

What does a rabies vaccine cost at Petfolk North Hills?

The rabies vaccine is priced on its own and is usually given at a wellness exam, which starts at $99. A PetfolkCare membership, which starts at $199 a year, includes wellness exams and discounts on routine vaccinations. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

A calm shot

Every Petfolk clinic uses Fear Free handling. The shot itself takes seconds, and the team uses treats and a gentle hold so your pet barely notices. A little soreness or sleepiness for a day is normal. Call if you see face swelling, hives or vomiting. If your pet has trouble breathing or collapses after any vaccine, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as BluePearl Pet Hospital on Paragon Park Road in Raleigh.

Due for more than rabies? See dog vaccines in North Hills and cat vaccines in North Hills.

Get the certificate you need

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - North Hills is at 631 E Six Forks Rd, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27609. Call (984) 983-4900, book online or walk in.

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