Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. It is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Any wild mammal, like a raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote, or bat can have rabies, and transmit it to people and other animals. Dogs and cats and other domestic animals can also transmit rabies. Individuals exposed to a rabid animal, usually through a bite or scratch, must receive anti-rabies serum and vaccine soon after contact to prevent rabies infection.

Rabies is a fatal disease. As such, the goals of MCACC are:

• to prevent human exposure through education
• respond to any case in which a dog or cat have been exposed to a rabid animal
• impound a dog or cat suspected of rabies for quarantine or laboratory testing to determine if exposure occurred
• provide rabies vaccines for dogs and enforce state law regarding rabies vaccination.

According to Arizona Revised Statues 11-1010 and 11-1008: All dogs three months of age and over should to be vaccinated against rabies and licensed. Maricopa County Animal Care and Control is the licensing authority for dogs living within Maricopa County boundaries.