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State or federal agencies often get involved in cases of rabies in livestock because these cases can have significant implications for both animal health and public health. Livestock, such as cattle and horses, are valuable to the agricultural economy and can transmit rabies not only to other animals but also to humans. Therefore, when rabies is suspected or confirmed in livestock, it requires immediate attention from health authorities to manage the outbreak and prevent further transmission.

The involvement of agencies ensures there is a coordinated response that can include surveillance, control measures, and vaccination campaigns if necessary. This also helps protect food safety and ensures that outbreaks do not escalate into larger public health crises. While cases in household pets and stray animals are important, they typically fall under the jurisdiction of local veterinarians or animal control rather than state or federal agencies unless there is an urgent public health concern. Reporting rabies vaccinations is a matter of record-keeping and compliance and does not typically necessitate direct involvement from state or federal agencies.