The present invention provides compositions and methods for eliciting protective immunity in animals against Leptospira interrogans (LI) serovar copenhageni. The invention is based, in part, on the unexpected cross-protection against heterologous LI serovar, which resulted when canines were administered an effective amount of RECOMBITEK® 4 Lepto, then subsequently challenged with virulent L. copenhageni (Fiocruz L1-130).