Rutherford Veterinary Hospital

Is heartworm incidence up or down in your area? The new AHS Heartworm Incidence Survey and Map reveals the trends.

📞 Our phones and internet are currently down. If you need assistance, please contact us through Facebook Messenger with any questions. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience while we work to resolve the issue. Thank you!

🇺🇸 Memorial Day Weekend Notice 🇺🇸

Our office will be closed May 23rd–May 25th in observance of Memorial Day. We will reopen on May 26th for normal business hours.

Please plan ahead for any medication refills, food, or pet care needs before the holiday weekend. Thank you for trusting us with your furry family members, and we hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day!

🚨‼️ FIRST CASE OF RABIES CONFIRMED IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY FOR 2026 ‼️🚨

On 4/29/2026, NC State Lab of Public Health notified us at Rutherford County Animal Control Services that a groundhog from the vicinity of Oak Springs Baptist Church to the Rutherford County Airport of the Gilkey Township area had tested positive for rabies. There was no reported human exposure with the groundhog.

This is the 1st positive test for rabies in Rutherford County for 2026. The last positive rabies test confirmed by NC State Lab of Public Health was on 07/03/2025. That animal was also a groundhog from the city limits of Ruth/Township of Rutherfordton near the intersection of Alt Hwy 74 and Hwy 64 area.

Rutherford County Health Director and Rutherford County Animal Control Services advises that residents should be sure that their animals are under their direct control. Animals that are allowed to wander or run loose are at a greater risk of coming into contact with rabid animals. If your pet is exposed to a rabid animal and its rabies vaccinations are not up to date the pet will have to be euthanized or placed in a strict supervised quarantine at the owner’s expense for up to 4 months. If your animal has been vaccinated, it will need a booster vaccine if exposed to rabies.

During the next 6 months anyone living in the Gilkey Township area should watch for animals with unusual behavior and be sure all pets have current rabies vaccinations. NC State law requires that all cats and dogs have rabies vaccines at 4 months of age, a booster 12 months after the initial rabies vaccine and then a booster vaccine every three years.

All local veterinarians offer rabies vaccines in their offices. We at Rutherford County Animal Control Services also offer rabies vaccines. We have a low cost rabies vaccine clinic, which is the first Tuesday every month from 10:00am-4:00pm (no appointment needed) for $5 per vaccine, as well as scheduled appointments Monday through Friday for $10 per vaccine. Our next clinic is May 5th and we have many available appointments throughout the week for dogs, cats, and ferrets!

Anyone who sees an animal displaying abnormal behaviors, please call us at 828-980-0016 during 10:00am–4:00pm, Monday-Friday; after hours, holidays and weekends call Communications at 828-286-2911.

We’re committed to keeping our community and every pet in it safe, so please share this with all pet owners and non-pet owners. Rabies is a serious matter we can not ignore.

🐾🌸 Our office will be closed Friday, April 3rd and Saturday, April 4th in observance of the Easter holiday. We will reopen Monday.
Wishing you and your furry family members a safe and Happy Easter! 🐰💛

Spring is here! And with that comes a warning about Leptospirosis, a disease caused by infection with Leptospira bacteria.

All dogs are at risk of leptospirosis, regardless of age, breed, lifestyle, geographic location, time of year, and other factors. The following situations can increase that risk:

➡Exposure to or drinking from slow-moving or stagnant water sources, like ponds, rivers, lakes, or streams
➡ Roaming on rural properties (because of exposure to potentially infected wildlife or farm animals or urine-contaminated water sources)
➡ Exposure to wild animals (especially rodents) or farm animals, even if in the backyard
➡ Contact with other dogs (such as in urban areas, dog parks, or boarding or training facilities)

For more information on the signs of leptospirosis, how to prevent it, and more visit: https://bit.ly/4rHvtrq