INDIANA – As World Rabies Day approaches on September 28, Pet Friendly Services of Indiana is reminding pet owners that two important forms of animal protection often happen at the same time: spay/neuter and rabies vaccination.
Rabies is preventable, but it remains present in wildlife. According to the Indiana Department of Health, 20 bats have tested positive for rabies in Indiana so far in 2026, compared with 12 in all of 2025. Bats have been the most commonly identified rabid animal in Indiana since 1988. Indiana also lists skunks, foxes, raccoons, and coyotes among the wildlife at highest risk of transmitting rabies to people. In 2024, skunk-variant rabies was detected in southeastern Indiana for the first time in 20 years.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported an increase in animal rabies activity and associated human exposures. From July through August 2026, the CDC received 17% more rabies-related inquiries than during the same period in 2025.
For Pet Friendly Services of Indiana, World Rabies Day also highlights an important connection between accessible spay/neuter services and vaccination.
“Spay/neuter is about much more than preventing unwanted litters,” said Cheri Storms, Executive Director of Pet Friendly Services of Indiana. “When pets are spayed or neutered, that veterinary visit is also an important opportunity to make sure they are protected with essential vaccinations, including rabies. Making basic veterinary care accessible helps protect individual pets, families, and our communities.”
Indiana pet owners looking for affordable spay/neuter options can search Pet Friendly Services’ statewide Spay/Neuter Resource Directory. The directory connects pet owners with low-cost clinics, transport programs, and financial assistance resources across Indiana. A separate Low-Cost Vaccine Directory connects pet owners with affordable vaccination options.
Pet Friendly Services of Indiana encourages pet owners to check their pets’ rabies vaccination records, keep vaccinations current, spay or neuter pets, supervise pets outdoors, and avoid contact with wild animals.
Anyone who is bitten, scratched, or otherwise potentially exposed to a rabid animal should promptly contact a health care provider or local health department. The Indiana Department of Health provides additional information about rabies prevention and what to do following a potential exposure.
