There were 133 laboratory-confirmed animal rabies cases reported from the 30 county area of Health Service Region 7 (HSR7) during the first half of 2012. Region 7 staff investigated an additional 68 non-negative (decomposed, destroyed, and unsatisfactory) rabies test result incidents for a total of 201 rabies-related case investigations.Rabies was confirmed in HSR7 in 73 bats, 41 skunks, 7 foxes, 5 raccoons, 4 cats, one dog, one cow and one coyote. Counties with laboratory-confirmed rabies cases include: Bastrop (4), Bell (4), Blanco (1), Bosque (4), Brazos (2), Burnet (20), Fayette (1), Grimes (1), Hamilton (4), Hays (8), Limestone (1), Llano (13), McLennan (2), Milam (2), Mills (3), Robertson (1), Travis (21), Washington (8), and Williamson (33).Feline rabies cases occurred in Bell, Bosque, Burnet and Washington counties. The animals died of the South Central Skunk strain of rabies virus. None of the cats had been previously vaccinated against rabies.The canine rabies case occurred in Bosque County after a seven-year-old dog was infected with the virus by a rabid skunk. Veterinary records indicated the dog was not currently vaccinated at the time of the incident. Although it had been vaccinated against rabies with a three-year product in 2007, the dog was not revaccinated within the next 12 months, per veterinary instructions and Texas Rabies Rules (Section 169.29 “Vaccination Requirement”), or on any subsequent date.San Saba County and the City of San Saba have submitted several animals for testing and to date in 2012 have not had a positive case reported. This is good news for our citizens but should not reflect a need to relax with regards to protecting our pets. Please continue to have your animals vaccinated in a timely manner and refrain from leaving food and water outside that might draw unwanted critters onto your property.The 2012 rabies cases are recorded in the ”Positive Animal Rabies Cases, Three-Year Comparison, 2010 – 2012” table. The rabies data presented in this document are obtained through a passive reporting system. The data are based solely on the results of animals submitted for rabies testing. There are many more animals (particularly wildlife) that die of rabies that are never submitted for rabies testing. Rabies is endemic in Central Texas, and ALL counties have rabies risk!