Rabies Alert in Miami-Dade County: Animal Services urges the community to vaccinate their pets

In light of a recent rabies alert in Miami-Dade County following a confirmed case of rabies in a horse, Miami-Dade Animal Services (Animal Services) is urging all pet owners to ensure their pets are up to date on their vaccines or to immediately vaccinate their pets. Rabies is a serious disease that can affect both animals and humans, and with recent findings, it is critical for all pets to be current with their rabies vaccinations as soon as possible. The case occurred in an unincorporated area off State Road 997 (Krome Avenue). The affected region is bordered by Southwest 128th Street to the north, 161st Street to the south, 177th Avenue to the east, and 197th Avenue to the west.

To protect pets and residents, MDAS is offering a series of rabies vaccination events throughout the affected area through the end of April. Free rabies vaccinations will be available at the following locations:

•    Doral Clinic (3599 NW 79th Ave, Doral, FL 33122): Monday-Friday, 10 AM-6:30 PM; Saturday-Sunday, 9 AM-5 PM
•    Wellness on Wheels Mobile Unit (250 SW 114 Ave, Miami, FL 33174): Starting April 7th, Monday-Wednesday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
•    Homestead Spay Neuter Clinic (1034 NE 8th St, Homestead, FL 33030): Tuesday-Saturday, 12:30 PM-3:00 PM
•    Cutler Bay Community Cat Center (10700 SW 211 St, Cutler Bay, FL 33189): Tuesday-Saturday, 12:30 PM-3:00 PM

Miami-Dade Animal Services stresses the importance of taking immediate action to prevent rabies exposure by following these essential precautions from the Florida Department of Health (DOH):

•    Vaccinate your pets immediately. Ensure all dogs, cats, and ferrets are up to date on rabies vaccinations as required by law.
•    Limit pet exposure to wild animals, including raccoons, bats, and stray animals.
•    If your pet is bitten or scratched by a wild animal, seek veterinary care right away.
•    Do not feed or interact with wild animals, and keep trash securely covered to avoid attracting them.
•    Teach children not to approach unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, and to never handle them.
•    Take action to prevent bats from entering homes, schools, or other public spaces.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be transmitted through saliva, usually through bites or scratches. It's vital that pet owners act now to protect their animals and families from potential exposure. If bitten or scratched by any animal, seek medical attention immediately and contact the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County at 305-470-5660.

For more information about rabies prevention and vaccination, visit www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/rabies/index.html or call Miami-Dade Animal Services at 3-1-1.

About Miami-Dade County Animal Services  
Every year Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department (Animal Services) provides care and refuge to 15,000 lost, abandoned, injured, ill, or abused dogs and cats and affords vaccination and sterilization services to almost 20,000 free-roaming community cats. Every day, Animal Services staff works diligently to find life-long homes for these shelter animals by facilitating onsite adoptions, hosting offsite adoptions at events and locations throughout the community, and working collaboratively with rescue organizations, volunteers, and adoption partners. For more information visit www.miamidade.gov/animals and follow @AdoptMiamiPets on Facebook, Instagram and X.