Sep 27, 2025
Israel is, unfortunately, considered a rabies-infected country. This means that there is a real risk of infection, and therefore the authorities are working with all their might to prevent the spread of this dangerous disease. As part of the national effort to prevent rabies, the law in Israel mandates a rabies vaccine for dogs. The law in Israel is very clear – every dog owner must vaccine their dog against rabies every two years.
The importance of vaccination is not only a legal matter, but also a matter of public health and the safety of the dog itself. Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the central nervous system and can infect mammals, including humans. Infection with the disease without immediate treatment is almost always fatal.
The vaccine prevents the development of the disease in the event of exposure to the virus, thus protecting the dog and anyone who comes into contact with it.
Adhering to the vaccination schedule ensures that your dog will be protected and that the entire country will continue to be safe.
Rabies is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain in humans and other mammals. Rabies is a very deadly disease that has existed since the dawn of history, still alive and kicking, even Israel.
There are a few countries in the world, such as England, Australia and New Zealand, that are considered free of rabies, but Israel, as mentioned, is not in this situation. It is true that there is a difference between the number of cases of rabies outbreaks in advanced countries like ours (Israel) and third world countries, but the disease still exists and we must all be aware of this fact.
Rabies is not just a disease of dogs. The name in Hebrew may be misleading, but in reality, rabies is a disease that affects many other living creatures. This means that humans can also be affected by rabies.
Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system and brain. The disease causes respiratory failure, muscle paralysis, and death! The main symptoms in animals are behavioral changes. For example, a friendly dog becomes aggressive towards its surroundings.
Before you get into hysteria, you should know that the bottom line is that although rabies exists in Israel and in most countries around the world, infection can be prevented!
Rabies is a viral disease, so the way it is transmitted is simple – through a bite or contact with slobber from an animal that has the disease.
If a healthy dog is walking down the street and a dog infected with rabies bites it, it is quite likely that it will be infected.
It is a common misconception that rabies is only a threat from dogs. In reality, cats infected with the disease can also transmit it to humans.
To protect yourself and your family, it’s vital to ensure that all your pets – both dogs and cats – have a valid rabies vaccine.
In 2002, following a bill from the Ministry of Agriculture, a law was passed to regulate the supervision of dogs. This law was enacted to regulate the ownership of dogs in Israel – the obligation to have a valid dog license, the definition of a dangerous dog, the establishment of a national registration database, etc.
Until the law was enacted, the only law that addressed the status of dogs in Israel was the “Rabies Ordinance of 1934”.
The Law Regulating the Control of Dogs stipulated, among other things, that every dog owner in Israel must have a “dog license”.
To obtain this license, the dog’s owner must pay the annual fee, vaccinate the dog against rabies (starting at the age of 3 months) and mark the dog with an electronic, subcutaneous microchip.
The license is valid for one year and the owner must renew it every year. However, the owner must remember to take their dog for a rabies vaccination once every two years.
If you (like many other dog owners) considered taking your dog abroad, you should know that there are quite a few procedures and bureaucratic matters that you will have to deal with.
Whether it is a work-related relocation or for another reason, you probably do not want to leave your dog behind.
Therefore, you should check as soon as possible about the required process.
It can be stated with certainty that it does not matter which country you move to, in any case, a rabies vaccination is one of those things that you cannot do without.
Rabies is actually present in most countries in the world and therefore, it does not matter whether you move with your pet to a more or less advanced country, in any case, the dog will only be able to enter if it has a valid rabies vaccine.
Whether your dog has already received a rabies vaccination or not, you should know that this is not the only certificate you will need to present when traveling internationally with your dog.
Most destinations in the world will require additional documents from you, such as a veterinary health certificate.
To make your move abroad possible, it is mandatory that you comply with all the requirements of your destination country.
If the various inquiries prior to the flight, whether regarding logistical or bureaucratic matters, seem too complex to you, remember that you are not alone. There are companies that specialize in flying pets that can assist you!
At Pets2Fly, we specialize in flying animals all over the world. Therefore, we are confident that we can assist you throughout the process.
Call us today and we will make this move together!
We would love to hear from you!
