All mammals are susceptible to rabies infection. The rabies vaccine is safe and effective for a variety of domestic animals, including dogs, cats, sheep, cattle, horses, and ferrets. Using vaccines for wildlife and hybrid animals (wildlife crossbred with domestic dogs or cats) is not licensed and is strongly discouraged.
Rabies vaccination is strongly encouraged for all pets and other appropriate domestic animals. This is in accordance with the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control (PDF) published by the National Association of State Public Health.
Unvaccinated dogs or cats exposed to a rabid animal (including untested bats) should be euthanized and examined. If the owner refuses to sacrifice their pet, the animal should be quarantined for a 6-month period, with rabies vaccination administered in the final month of quarantine.