PAWS Chicago Official Statement on Rabies Case in Chicago Dog | PAWS Chicago News
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Dec 23, 2025
PAWS Chicago is sharing information regarding a confirmed positive rabies case involving a dog that was returned to our care after several months in an adoptive home.
We have taken proactive steps focused on the health and safety of anyone in contact with the dog. We are working closely with public health authorities to provide all relevant history and clinical information regarding this animal.
Animals are beloved members of our families, and we are deeply saddened to learn of this case within our adoptive community. PAWS Chicago has been operating for 27 years – adopting out over 91,000 pets and spaying/neutering over 300,000 pets. This condition is extremely rare, and PAWS Chicago has never experienced this situation before. Our veterinary team’s decades of specialized training and hands-on experience are guiding our organization.
The rabies virus sheds for at most 10 days prior to symptoms. As a result, only people in direct contact with this dog in December 2025 may be at risk. We have been in proactive communication with the five individuals at PAWS who encountered this dog during the period of possible contagion. No PAWS animals or volunteers were in contact with the dog in December.
A timeline of events is below:
On 5/26/25, we received this puppy from a rescue partner, who works on the front lines of lifesaving efforts.
Per PAWS protocols, he was brought to our Medical Center for standard intake and medical evaluation. During this time, he received all vaccinations per our vaccine manufacturers’ recommendations, including rabies in June, when he was age appropriate.
Following vaccination and medical clearance, he was adopted on 7/26/25 into a loving family.
Five months after adoption, following a bite in the home and new onset behavioral changes and safety concerns, the owner returned the dog to PAWS Chicago on 12/17/25.
Based on escalating behavior risk and an blockessment by both PAWS veterinarians and our animal behavior team the dog was euthanized on Thursday 12/18/25 at the PAWS Medical Center.
Because the owner sustained a bite from this animal prior to his return and euthanasia, a specimen was sent to the Cook County Department of Health for rabies blockysis.
Rabies was confirmed by Cook County through laboratory testing on 12/19/25.
The CDC is testing the virus strain to help determine the likely location of origin.
The USDA will be retesting the retained samples of the same lot of the rabies vaccination given to this animal.
About Rabies:
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system.
Rabies can infect any warm-blooded animal.
Rabies can be effectively prevented in humans with vaccines and post exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP is a combination of antibodies and series of vaccines.
Rabies is spread through infected saliva, mainly by bites. The virus does not penetrate intact skin and is inactivated very quickly in the environment.
Rabies typically has an incubation period of 3 to 12 weeks in dogs.
The only way to test for rabies is by examination of the brain tissue of a dead animal.
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