Low-Cost Clinics

We have temporarily suspended our low-cost rabies clinics (which are large gatherings) due to the global pandemic and strained staffing resources. Please check with local veterinarians or other available types of vaccination clinics for pricing and to see how they may be able to safely offer a rabies vaccination for your pet. We will update this page as soon as we are able to resume these clinics.

Orange County’s Animal Services Department schedules low-cost rabies clinics annually. Clinics are very important as North Carolina continues to be affected by the epidemic of "eastern raccoon rabies" that began in the latter half of the 1990s.

Confirmed Cases

In 2020, there were 8 confirmed rabies cases in Orange County, NC. In 2019, there were 6 confirmed rabies cases. There were 4 confirmed cases in 2018, 9 confirmed rabies cases in 2017, 6 confirmed cases in 2016, 11 confirmed rabies cases in 2015, and 23 confirmed cases in 2014. In both 2012 and 2013, there were 12 positive cases. By comparison, there were 20 positive cases in 2008; 19 in 2007; 26 in 2006; and 24 in 2005. The incidence of rabies among a host species increases and decreases over a period of time. View a distribution map (PDF) of positive cases in Orange County between 2010 and 2014.

It is for this reason that Orange County residents are urged to remain vigilant. Pet owners must be sure that our dogs, cats, and ferrets are currently vaccinated against rabies and also that they immediately receive a booster shot if there is any possible exposure to rabies or a rabies vector.