September 28 is World Rabies Day, a worldwide reminder that one of the most serious diseases affecting animals and people is also one of the most preventable.
Here in Fort Collins, rabies may not feel like an everyday concern. Thankfully, most pet owners will never have to deal with it firsthand. But we share our beautiful Colorado home with plenty of wildlife, and encounters with bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and other wild animals can happen even within our neighborhoods.
Rabies is still present in local wildlife, so keeping our pets protected remains important. And it isn’t just a distant concern. In May 2026, a bat found near the Adriel Hills neighborhood in northeast Fort Collins tested positive for rabies, becoming Larimer County’s first confirmed rabid animal of the year.
And at Animal Works, we want to make that protection a little easier and more affordable.
Rabies Is Still Present in Larimer County
Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of mammals and is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear. It is most commonly spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite or scratch.
In Larimer County, bats and skunks are the animals most commonly found with rabies, although foxes, raccoons, coyotes, and other mammals can also become infected.
That means even a family pet who doesn’t venture far from home can potentially encounter an infected wild animal.
The good news? Vaccination provides an effective way to protect our pets from rabies.
Rabies Vaccination Isn’t Just a Good Idea. It’s Required.
Larimer County requires dogs and cats 4 months of age and older to be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinations must be administered by a licensed veterinarian and kept current according to the vaccine being used.
Dog owners are also required to keep the current rabies vaccination tag attached to their dog’s collar or harness.
There is another important reason to keep your pet current.
If an unvaccinated pet comes into contact with an animal suspected of having rabies, the consequences can be serious. Larimer County notes that an unvaccinated pet may face an extensive and potentially costly quarantine or, depending on the circumstances, euthanasia.
Keeping that vaccine current can prevent a frightening situation for both you and your pet.
Affordable Vaccines With No Office Fee at Animal Works ❤️
We know veterinary expenses can add up, especially for families with multiple pets.
That’s one reason Animal Works currently offers affordable vaccinations with NO office fee.
Our goal is simple: make essential preventive care more accessible to the pets in our community.
If your dog or cat is due for a rabies vaccine, or you’re unsure whether they’re current, contact us. Our team can help you determine what your pet needs without the added cost of an office fee.
Rabies vaccination is a small step that provides important protection for your pet, your family, and the larger Fort Collins community.
Don’t Forget to License Your Pet
Vaccination is also connected to another responsibility many pet owners may overlook: pet licensing.
Dogs and cats in the City of Fort Collins are required to be licensed. Larimer County currently directs pet owners to NOCO Humane for pet license purchases and registration.
You can find licensing information and get started here:
Keeping your pet’s license current can also help reunite you with your pet if they ever become lost.
What Else Can You Do to Prevent Rabies?
Vaccination is the most important protection, but a few everyday precautions can reduce your pet’s risk as well. Larimer County recommends avoiding contact with wildlife, keeping pets from roaming, not allowing pets to interact with sick or dead animals, securing outdoor food and garbage that could attract wildlife, and contacting animal control or public health when a pet has a possible rabies exposure.
If you ever find a bat inside your home, especially in a room where someone was sleeping, don’t simply release it and forget about the encounter. Larimer County recommends contacting public health so the situation can be evaluated for possible exposure.
This World Rabies Day, Check Your Pet’s Records 🐶🐱
Take a minute this September to look at your pet’s vaccination records.
Is their rabies vaccine current?
If the answer is no, or you’re simply not sure, Animal Works is here to help.
We’re proud to provide affordable vaccination options to our community with no office fee, because preventive care shouldn’t be harder to access than it needs to be.
This World Rabies Day, let’s continue working together to keep the pets and people of Northern Colorado healthy and safe.
Protect your pet. Protect your family. Protect our community. 🐾❤️
September 28 is World Rabies Day, a worldwide reminder that one of the most serious diseases affecting animals and people is also one of the most preventable.
Here in Fort Collins, rabies may not feel like an everyday concern. Thankfully, most pet owners will never have to deal with it firsthand. But we share our beautiful Colorado home with plenty of wildlife, and encounters with bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and other wild animals can happen even within our neighborhoods.
Rabies is still present in local wildlife, so keeping our pets protected remains important. And it isn’t just a distant concern. In May 2026, a bat found near the Adriel Hills neighborhood in northeast Fort Collins tested positive for rabies, becoming Larimer County’s first confirmed rabid animal of the year.
And at Animal Works, we want to make that protection a little easier and more affordable.
Rabies Is Still Present in Larimer County
Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of mammals and is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear. It is most commonly spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite or scratch.
In Larimer County, bats and skunks are the animals most commonly found with rabies, although foxes, raccoons, coyotes, and other mammals can also become infected.
That means even a family pet who doesn’t venture far from home can potentially encounter an infected wild animal.
The good news? Vaccination provides an effective way to protect our pets from rabies.
Rabies Vaccination Isn’t Just a Good Idea. It’s Required.
Larimer County requires dogs and cats 4 months of age and older to be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinations must be administered by a licensed veterinarian and kept current according to the vaccine being used.
Dog owners are also required to keep the current rabies vaccination tag attached to their dog’s collar or harness.
There is another important reason to keep your pet current.
If an unvaccinated pet comes into contact with an animal suspected of having rabies, the consequences can be serious. Larimer County notes that an unvaccinated pet may face an extensive and potentially costly quarantine or, depending on the circumstances, euthanasia.
Keeping that vaccine current can prevent a frightening situation for both you and your pet.
Affordable Vaccines With No Office Fee at Animal Works ❤️
We know veterinary expenses can add up, especially for families with multiple pets.
That’s one reason Animal Works currently offers affordable vaccinations with NO office fee.
Our goal is simple: make essential preventive care more accessible to the pets in our community.
If your dog or cat is due for a rabies vaccine, or you’re unsure whether they’re current, contact us. Our team can help you determine what your pet needs without the added cost of an office fee.
Rabies vaccination is a small step that provides important protection for your pet, your family, and the larger Fort Collins community.
Don’t Forget to License Your Pet
Vaccination is also connected to another responsibility many pet owners may overlook: pet licensing.
Dogs and cats in the City of Fort Collins are required to be licensed. Larimer County currently directs pet owners to NOCO Humane for pet license purchases and registration.
You can find licensing information and get started here:
👉 Larimer County Pet Licensing Information
Keeping your pet’s license current can also help reunite you with your pet if they ever become lost.
What Else Can You Do to Prevent Rabies?
Vaccination is the most important protection, but a few everyday precautions can reduce your pet’s risk as well. Larimer County recommends avoiding contact with wildlife, keeping pets from roaming, not allowing pets to interact with sick or dead animals, securing outdoor food and garbage that could attract wildlife, and contacting animal control or public health when a pet has a possible rabies exposure.
If you ever find a bat inside your home, especially in a room where someone was sleeping, don’t simply release it and forget about the encounter. Larimer County recommends contacting public health so the situation can be evaluated for possible exposure.
This World Rabies Day, Check Your Pet’s Records 🐶🐱
Take a minute this September to look at your pet’s vaccination records.
Is their rabies vaccine current?
If the answer is no, or you’re simply not sure, Animal Works is here to help.
We’re proud to provide affordable vaccination options to our community with no office fee, because preventive care shouldn’t be harder to access than it needs to be.
This World Rabies Day, let’s continue working together to keep the pets and people of Northern Colorado healthy and safe.
Protect your pet. Protect your family. Protect our community. 🐾❤️