My cat never goes outside. Why does it need a rabies vaccine?

Even though the cat may never go outside there is a chance that an animal could get into your house, i.e. a bat, squirrel, raccoon etc. These animals can carry the rabies virus. An unvaccinated cat or dog that is exposed to rabies will either have to be euthanized (at the State's urging) or be placed in an isolation quarantine for 3 months then a strict confinement quarantine for another 3 months. Also, rabies vaccines are a mandatory State law for dogs, cats, and ferrets over 12 weeks of age.