Rabies is a deadly disease, so not getting your canine or feline companion vaccinated is taking a big risk. But what happens if you’ve overlooked the deadline for your pet’s rabies booster and she’s exposed to a rabid animal?

In the past, guidelines recommended that rabies-exposed dogs and cats who were previously vaccinated but overdue for their booster be quarantined or — in some cases — even put down. But study results have shown that some dogs with an expired vaccination status are just as able to fight rabies as currently immunized dogs. So now, owners of previously vaccinated dogs and cats can monitor their rabies-exposed pets for 45 days once a rabies booster is administered.

That being said, make rabies vaccinations a priority —and don’t forget the boosters.