MCHD urges pet rabies vaccination after rabid dog confirmed in Andalusia 4-3-26

April 3, 2026

MCHD urges pet rabies vaccination after rabid dog confirmed in Andalusia

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Health Department is urging residents to keep dogs, cats, and ferrets current on rabies vaccination after the Alabama Department of Public Health confirmed that a dog in Covington County’s Andalusia tested positive for rabies in a case involving human exposure.

“This should be a stern reminder that all pets should be properly vaccinated against rabies, given the circumstances of rabid animals now in the same general area,” said Dr. Dee W. Jones, State Public Health Veterinarian. “It is not unusual to see clusters of rabies cases in wild animals and strays during this time of year.”

Alabama law requires dogs, cats, and ferrets 12 weeks of age and older to be vaccinated against rabies, and vaccinating pets helps protect animals, owners, and caretakers if exposure occurs.

MCHD offers low-cost, one-year rabies vaccinations for $15 per pet at drive-through clinics, cash only. The April clinic schedule is:

• Saturday, April 4, 10 a.m. to noon, Little Flower Catholic School, 2103 Government Street in Mobile;
• Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m. to noon, Mobile County Animal Shelter, 7665 Howells Ferry Road in Mobile;
• Saturday, April 11, 1 to 3 p.m., Pet Supplies Plus, 803 Hillcrest Road in Mobile;
• Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m. to noon, hosted by Prichard Animal Shelter, 2402 West Rebel Road, with the clinic in the Prichard Municipal Stadium parking lot.

Also scheduled this month is the Town & Country Animal Hospital’s 28th annual rabies vaccination clinic. It will be on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Semmes Middle School (4566 Ed George Road). Clinic officials say $1 per rabies vaccination will be donated to the school. One-year rabies vaccines will be $15 while three-year vaccines will be $40. DAPP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus) shots for dogs will be $20, while FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) shots for cats will be $20.

Rabies is fatal once symptoms appear, and residents should avoid contact with wild or stray animals and report any bite or possible exposure to a medical provider or public health officials.

To learn more, visit mchd.org/disease-control/#rabies.