The disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected animal. Saliva carries the virus into the nervous system, then it travels to the brain over a series of months. During this time, the animal may not show symptoms of having the rabies, and thus, why an animal bite is a serious thing. The only way to be sure an animal does NOT have rabies, is to examine it's brain in the lab. I should not have to tell you the animal and its brain must be separated....
Rabies vaccines are CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP. Usually less than $15 protects your pets for up to 3 years (young animals need a booster after 1 year). It also protects your pet from the possible separation of its body from brain with proof of the vaccine, so keep that information in a safe place.
If you are in an area that routinely has natural disasters where you may have to evacuate in a hurry (fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc) keep a copy of that rabies certificate with your pet's evacuation package. You can never have too many copies of it. Remember to make a paper package and keep it in a large zip baggie with your pets' carriers, or in your emergency kit.
If you live in Hawaii, it is recommended that you have your pet vaccinated before you come back to the mainland. Military folks with pets they have adopted in Hawaii will need this to fly pets back anyway, so do it a few weeks ahead of time. Dogs and cats, both, need this protection. Cats are even more vulnerable, now, than dogs, as they still often roam the woods where carriers may be lurking.
Most importantly, if your pets bites someone, the proof of the vaccine, something only licensed veterinarians are allowed to do, keeps your pet's brain in its head and may even prevent a 4 month quarantine. Unless you go to Hawaii.
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