Rabies Vaccine

Texas requires every dog and cat to be vaccinated against rabies by 16 weeks of age and kept current. Our Sugar Land clinic near Highway 6 and Southwest Freeway gives the vaccine and issues the rabies certificate you'll need for boarding, travel, and any bite report.

Rabies is still found in Texas wildlife every year, and it's fatal once signs appear.

Call (346) 436-6295 or book online.

When it's an emergency: Go straight to a 24-hour emergency hospital for a pet that was bitten by a bat, skunk, raccoon, fox, or coyote, or face swelling, hives, or collapse after a vaccine. We're open 8 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week, and we don't provide overnight care. Call us during hours, too, so we can check your pet's rabies status.

What Texas Law Requires

A rabies vaccine by 16 weeks of age, given by or under a veterinarian
A booster within 12 months of the first shot
After that, boosters on the vaccine's labeled schedule, every one or three years
Keep the certificate and show it to animal control or health officials if asked

A vaccine you give yourself from a feed store doesn't meet the requirement, because the law requires a veterinarian to give it and issue the certificate.

Close-up of a vaccine needle near an orange tabby cat

Rabies in Texas Wildlife

The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed rabies in 456 animals in 2025. Wildlife made up 91% of cases, with bats the largest group and skunks second.

Bats can get into homes, so indoor cats aren't free of risk.
Don't let pets investigate a bat on the ground or a skunk out in daylight.
If your pet tangles with wildlife, call us right away, even if it's vaccinated. A current vaccine changes what happens next.

The AVMA's rabies brochure for owners explains how rabies spreads and what happens when a pet is bitten.

Golden retriever lying beside its owner, who is holding vaccine paperwork

If Your Pet Bites Someone

Texas requires a 10-day observation of a dog or cat that bites a person, and every bite must be reported. A current rabies certificate makes the process simpler. Sugar Land Animal Services investigates the more serious bites in the city.

“They did a fantastic job getting my Jasper updated on his shots. They're now my regular vet.”
— S.C. P., Petfolk client.

When Your Pet Doesn't Need a Shot Yet

If your pet's certificate shows it's current, it doesn't need another rabies vaccine until the due date. Bring certificates from other clinics, including out-of-state ones, so the doctor can confirm the date.

What the Rabies Vaccine Costs

The rabies vaccine is usually given at a wellness exam. A wellness exam is $99, or included with PetfolkCare. The vaccine is priced separately, and you'll see it first.

PetfolkCare is $199 a year and takes 10% off vaccines.

Keep the Certificate Current

Check your pet's rabies due date, then book online or call (346) 436-6295.