Lexington, KY, September 19, 2025
News Summary
Local health officials in Lexington, KY, are urging pet owners to vaccinate their animals due to emerging wildlife rabies cases. Two low-cost vaccination clinics are scheduled for Thursday, offering affordable services to enhance community health and safety. All pets must be kept leashed or in carriers during the events. The urgency follows a recent horse’s rabies diagnosis, highlighting the disease’s severe risks once symptoms appear. Vaccination is critical for preventing rabies spread in the area.
Lexington, KY – Local health officials are raising alarms as wildlife cases of rabies emerge in the area, prompting urgent calls for pet owners to vaccinate their animals. Rabies is a deadly disease that can be fully prevented with timely vaccinations, making it essential for pets to be protected against this threat.
To support pet owners, two low-cost rabies vaccination clinics are being held on Thursday. The first will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at Douglass Park, where vaccinations will cost $5 per pet, with payment accepted in cash only. The second clinic, organized by the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, will run from 6 to 9 p.m. at Valley Park, located at 2077 Cambridge Drive. Vaccinations at this clinic will be offered at a cost of $3 each, significantly lower than the regular fee of $20.
To maintain safety during the events, all dogs must be leashed, while cats and ferrets should be securely placed in carriers. Keeping pets vaccinated is one of the most effective strategies for preventing the spread of rabies in the community. The potential consequences of the disease are severe. Once clinical symptoms manifest, rabies is almost always fatal.
The urgency for these clinics is underscored by a recent concerning incident involving a local horse that exhibited severe symptoms consistent with rabies infection. This horse developed a high fever of 107 degrees and showed extreme agitation and aggression. Despite receiving nearly ten times the typical tranquilizer dosage, its condition remained critical until the decision was made to euthanize it. Subsequent testing by the State Public Health Laboratory confirmed rabies in the horse, leading to the quarantine of two other horses that had been in close proximity to the infected animal. The Kentucky Department of Health is currently involved in managing human exposures related to this case.
Symptoms of rabies can vary among different species. In horses, potential signs include lameness, colic, lethargy, aggression, or stupor. In light of this situation, local veterinarian recommendations strongly advocate for all pets and working animals to receive rabies vaccinations in order to ensure community health and safety.
Pet owners can also take advantage of additional services at the clinics. They have the option to purchase an animal license for $8 if their pet is spayed or neutered; otherwise, the cost is $40. In the event of adverse weather conditions, organizers caution that the schedule for the clinics may change, and updates will be posted on the official health department website at Lexingtonhealthdepartment.org.
As rabies cases climb among local wildlife, taking proactive measures such as vaccinating pets will substantially contribute to safeguarding public health and controlling the spread of this preventable disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. It is fully preventable through vaccination.
When and where are the rabies vaccination clinics?
The low-cost vaccination clinics will be held on Thursday. One will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at Douglass Park, and another from 6 to 9 p.m. at Valley Park.
How much do vaccinations cost?
The vaccination cost is $5 per pet at Douglass Park and $3 per pet at Valley Park.
What precautions should I take while attending the clinics?
All dogs must be leashed, and cats and ferrets should be in carriers during the clinics for safety.
What should I do if the weather is bad on clinic day?
In case of bad weather, the scheduling of the clinics may change. Updates will be provided on the health department’s official website.
Key Features of the Rabies Clinics
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Douglass Park & Valley Park, Lexington, KY |
| Date | Thursday |
| Time | 5 to 8 p.m. (Douglass Park) & 6 to 9 p.m. (Valley Park) |
| Cost | $5 per pet (Douglass Park), $3 per pet (Valley Park) |
| Pet Safety Requirements | Dogs must be leashed; cats and ferrets in carriers |
| Licensing Options | $8 if spayed/neutered; $40 otherwise |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Local Health Officials Urgent Call for Rabies Vaccinations
- LEX18: Local Vet Urges Pet Vaccinations After Horse Contracts Rabies
- WXII12: Rabies Clinics Throughout the Triad
- Patch: Rabies Clinic and Dog Registration
- Davidson Local: Free Rabies Clinic Today in Lexington
- Wikipedia: Rabies
- Google Search: Rabies Vaccination Clinics
- Google Scholar: Rabies
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Rabies
- Google News: Rabies Vaccination Clinics
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
