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State Laws Requiring Rabies Vaccinations

May 2005

State Statute Summary

Alabama § 3-7A-2 Every owner of a dog or cat required
to be immunized for rabies as defined in this chapter, shall cause
said dog or cat to be immunized by the rabies officer, his authorized
representative, or any duly licensed veterinarian, when said animal
reaches three months of age and annually thereafter.

Alaska NONE

Arizona § 11-1010 Before a license is issued for any
dog, the owner or a veterinarian must present a vaccination
certificate signed by a veterinarian. A duplicate of each rabies
vaccination certificate issued shall be transmitted to the county
enforcement agent within two weeks of the date the dog was
vaccinated. No dog shall be licensed unless it is vaccinated in
accordance with the provisions of this article and the regulations
promulgated pursuant to this article.

Arkansas § 20-19-202 All dogs and cats within the State of
Arkansas shall be vaccinated at least once a year against rabies, and
it is made the duty of all owners of dogs or cats or persons having
the possession or control of dogs or cats within this state to have
the animals vaccinated with vaccine against rabies in an amount,
quantity, and quality to be approved by the State Veterinarian.

California § 121690 In rabies areas, every dog owner,
after his or her dog attains the age of four months, shall, at
intervals of time not more often than once a year, as may be
prescribed by the department, procure its vaccination by a licensed
veterinarian with a canine antirabies vaccine approved by , and in a
manner prescribed by, the department.

Colorado 25-4-607 When it is deemed advisable in the
interest of public health and safety, the board of health of an
organized health department or a county board of health may order
that all dogs, cats, other pet animals, or other mammals in the
county or district be vaccinated against rabies. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this section, no board of health of an organized health
department or county board of health shall order the inoculation of
animals against rabies any more frequently than is recommended in
the "Compendium of Animal Rabies Control" as promulgated by the
national association of state public health veterinarians.

Connecticut § 22-339b. Any owner or keeper of a dog or cat
of the age of three months or older shall have such dog or cat
vaccinated against rabies. Any animal vaccinated prior to one year of
age or receiving a primary rabies vaccine at any age shall be
considered protected for only one year and shall be given a booster
vaccination one year after the initial vaccination and shall be
vaccinated at least every three years thereafter. Those animals
revaccinated after one year of age shall be given booster
vaccinations at least every three years thereafter.

Delaware § 8204 Any person owning a dog 6 months of age or
older in this State shall have that dog vaccinated against rabies by
a veterinarian.
Any person owning a cat 6 months of age or older in this State shall
have the cat vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian.

District of Columbia § 8-1803 An owner who has a dog over
the age of 4 months shall have the dog vaccinated against rabies and
distemper. Pursuant to rules issued by the Mayor, an owner of a cat
over the age of 4 months shall have that cat vaccinated against
rabies.

Florida § 828.30 All dogs, cats, and ferrets 4 months
of age or older must be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian against
rabies with a United States Government-approved vaccine.
Georgia NONE

Hawaii NONE

Idaho NONE

Illinois § 510 ILCS 5/8 Every owner of a dog 4 months or more
of age shall have each dog inoculated against rabies by a licensed
veterinarian. Every dog shall have a second rabies vaccination within
one year of the first. Terms of subsequent vaccine administration and
duration of immunity must be in compliance with USDA licenses of
vaccines used.

Indiana § 35-46-3-1. A person who knowingly or
intentionally harbors a dog that is over the age of six (6) months
and not immunized against rabies commits harboring a non-immunized
dog, a Class C infraction.

Iowa 351-33 Every owner of a dog shall obtain a rabies
vaccination for such animal. It shall be unlawful for any person to
own or have a dog in the person's possession, six months of age or
over, which has not been vaccinated against rabies.

Kansas NONE

Kentucky § 258.015. Every owner shall have his dog, cat,
or ferret initially vaccinated against rabies by the age of four (4)
months and revaccinated at the expiration of the immunization period
as certified by the veterinarian.

Louisiana § 40:1277 The Department of Health and
Hospitals shall enact in the state sanitary code all necessary
provisions concerning the requirements for the control of rabies in
animals, including the authority of parishes and municipalities to
enact local ordinances, the report of incidence of the disease and
the enactment of enforcement provisions.

Maine § 3916 and § 3922 An owner or keeper of a cat over 3
months of age must have that cat vaccinated against rabies. Upon
receiving an initial vaccination, a cat is considered protected for
one year and an owner or keeper of that cat must get a booster
vaccination for that cat one year after the initial vaccination and
subsequent booster vaccinations at intervals that do not exceed the
intervals recommended by a national association of state public
health veterinarians for the type of vaccine administered.

Each owner or keeper of a dog at the age of 6 months or more shall
obtain a license. A municipal clerk may not issue a license for a
dog until the applicant has filed with the clerk proof that the dog
has been immunized against rabies in accordance with rules adopted by
the Commissioner of Human Services, except that the requirement of
immunization may be waived by the clerk under conditions set forth by
the Commissioner of Human Services.

Maryland § 18-318. Each person who owns or keeps a dog,
cat, or ferret that is 4 months old or older shall have the dog, cat,
or ferret vaccinated adequately against rabies.

Massachusetts § 77 and § 145B A person may possess a ferret as a
household pet; provided, however, that such pet has been at the time
of purchase neutered or spayed and has received inoculation against
distemper and rabies or other inoculations that the director may
require; and provided, further, that evidence of neutering, spaying
and inoculation is kept available for inspection by the director.

Whoever is the owner or keeper of a dog or cat in the commonwealth
six months of age or older shall cause such dog or cat to be
vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian using a licensed
vaccine according to the manufacturer's directions, and shall cause
such dog or cat to be revaccinated at intervals recommended by the
manufacturer.

Michigan § 287.266 & § 287.892 The owner of a dog that is 4
or more months old shall apply for a license for each dog owned or
kept by him or her. The owner of a dog that is required to be
licensed shall keep the dog currently vaccinated against rabies by an
accredited veterinarian with a vaccine licensed by the United States
department of agriculture.

A person shall not own or harbor a ferret over 12 weeks of age unless
the ferret has a current vaccination against rabies with an approved
rabies vaccine administered by a veterinarian.

Minnesota NONE

Mississippi § 41-53-1 Every person in the state of
Mississippi who owns, or has in his or her possession, any dog or cat
of the age of three (3) months or over shall have said dog or cat
inoculated (vaccinated) against rabies as provided herein with the
recommended dosage of an anti-rabic virus (vaccine) approved by the
state board of health, and it shall be unlawful for any person within
the state of Mississippi to own or have in his or her possession
within the state of Mississippi any dog or cat three (3) months of
age or over which has not been inoculated (vaccinated) against rabies
with the approved dosage of an approved anti-rabic virus (vaccine).
It shall be the duty of every person in this state so owning or
having in his or her possession a dog or cat to have said dog or cat
inoculated (vaccinated) immediately after said dog or cat has reached
the age of three (3) months, and it shall be said person's further
duty to have said dog or cat so inoculated (vaccinated) thereafter as
required by the state board of health.

Missouri § 322.040 Whenever rabies becomes prevalent in
any city, town or village in this state, the mayor of such city, town
or village shall, according to the necessity of the case, issue a
quarantine order, requiring every owner or person in charge of any
dog or dogs within the limits of such city, town or village, to
either kill or impound his dog or dogs, or to have such dog or dogs
immunized. Said order shall be published once in the paper officially
publishing the business of such city or town; and in the absence of
such paper, shall be posted as in case of sales of personal property.
The mayor of such city, town or village is authorized by
proclamation, to terminate any such quarantine whenever, in his
judgment, the necessity for it no longer exists.

Montana NONE

Nebraska § 71-4402 Every domestic animal in the State of
Nebraska shall be vaccinated against rabies with a licensed vaccine
and shall be revaccinated at intervals specified by rules and
regulations adopted and promulgated by the department. Young domestic
animals shall be initially vaccinated at the age specified in such
rules and regulations.

Nevada § 441A.410 The board shall adopt regulations
governing the control of rabies. The regulations must provide for the
periodic inoculation of animals with approved vaccines.

New Hampshire § 436:100 Every dog, cat, and ferret 3 months
of age and older shall be vaccinated against rabies. Every dog, cat,
and ferret shall be revaccinated at such intervals and with such
vaccines as the commissioner shall specify from time to time.

New Jersey § 4:19-15.2a A municipal clerk or other official
designated by the governing body of any municipality to license dogs
shall not grant any such license unless the owner provides evidence
that the dog has been inoculated with a rabies vaccine of a type
approved by and administered in accordance with the recommendations
of the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, or has been certified
exempt as provided by regulations of the State Department of Health.
Such vaccination shall be repeated at intervals as provided by
regulations of the State Department of Health, and shall be
administered by a duly licensed veterinarian or by such other
veterinarian permitted by law to do the same. The State Department of
Health shall promulgate regulations providing for the recognized
duration of immunity, interval of inoculation, certificate of
vaccination, certificate of exemption, and such other matters related
to this act.

New Mexico § 77-1-3 Any person who owns or keeps a dog or
cat over the age of three months in this state shall have the dog or
cat vaccinated against rabies as prescribed by regulation of the
health and environment department [department of health].

New York § 2141 Every dog, cat and domesticated ferret shall
be actively immunized against rabies in accordance with regulations
promulgated by the commissioner. Every dog, cat and domesticated
ferret shall have all initial vaccinations administered no later than
four months after birth. Every dog, cat and domesticated ferret shall
have a second vaccination within one year of the first. Terms of
subsequent vaccine administration and duration of immunity must be in
compliance with USDA licenses of vaccines used.

North Carolina § 130A-185 The owner of every dog and cat over
four months of age shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies.
The time or times of vaccination shall be established by the
Commission.

North Dakota NONE

Oklahoma NONE

Ohio § 955.26 When a rabies-related dog quarantine has been
declared, the director of health, the board, or those persons may
require vaccination for rabies of all dogs within the health district
or part of it. Proof of rabies vaccination within a satisfactory
period shall be demonstrated to the county auditor before any
registration is issued under section 955.01 of the Revised Code for
any dog that is required to be vaccinated. The public health council
shall determine appropriate methods of rabies vaccination and
satisfactory periods for purposes of quarantines under this section.

When rabies vaccination has been declared compulsory in any health
district or part of a health district, the dog warden shall assist
the health authorities in enforcing the vaccination order.
Oregon 433.365 A dog that has permanent canine teeth or that is six
months of age or older must be inoculated against rabies, unless
specifically exempted by rule of the Department of Human Services or
the State Department of Agriculture.

Pennsylvania § 455.8 Every person owning or keeping a dog or cat
over three months of age, shall cause that dog or cat to be
vaccinated against rabies. The Commonwealth shall recognize the three-
year rabies vaccine as the vaccine to be used. Those animals
vaccinated after one year of age shall get booster vaccinations every
three years thereafter. Those animals vaccinated prior to one year of
age will be considered protected for only one year and shall receive
a booster vaccination one year later on the anniversary date of the
original vaccination and shall be vaccinated every three years
thereafter.

Rhode Island 4-13-31 The board shall make regulations
requiring compulsory vaccination of dogs, cats, ferrets or any other
domestic animal as deemed necessary against rabies in a manner
specified by it in any area or areas within the state, which are
deemed necessary to prevent that introduction, or for the purposes of
suppression and control.

South Carolina § 47-5-60 An owner must have his pet inoculated
against rabies at a frequency to provide continuous protection of the
pet from rabies using a vaccine approved by the department and
licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture.

South Dakota NONE

Tennessee 68-8-103 It is unlawful for any person to own,
keep or harbor any dog or cat six (6) months of age or older that has
not been vaccinated against rabies as required by this chapter, or
the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant this chapter. Dogs and
cats may be vaccinated as early as three (3) months of age or at an
age as specified by the vaccine's United States department of
agriculture (USDA) license, but will be considered as noncompliant
with this section if over six (6) months of age.

Texas § 826.021 The owner of a dog or cat shall have the
animal vaccinated against rabies by the time the animal is four
months of age and at regular intervals thereafter as prescribed by
board rule.

Utah NONE

Vermont § 3581a An owner of a domestic pet or wolf-hybrid shall have
that animal inoculated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian in
accordance with section 3581 of this title, if applicable, and with
rules adopted by the secretary. No rabies vaccine may be used for
domestic pets unless it is first approved by the secretary. Until
the secretary approves a rabies vaccine for use on wolf-hybrids,
these animals shall be vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the
secretary for domestic dogs and a veterinarian inoculating a wolf-
hybrid in accordance with this section shall not be liable for the
failure of the rabies vaccine to protect the animal from rabies nor
for any adverse reaction that may be attributable to the vaccination.

Virginia § 3.1-796.97:1 The owner or custodian of all dogs
and domesticated cats four months of age and older shall have them
currently vaccinated for rabies.

Washington NONE

West Virginia § 19-20A-2 Whoever owns, keeps or harbors a dog
or cat within the boundaries of any county in the state of West
Virginia shall have such dog or cat properly vaccinated or immunized
against rabies with a vaccine capable of producing immunity for two
years and shall every second year thereafter have such dog or cat
revaccinated with a vaccine capable of producing immunity for two
years. Provided, That dogs and cats need not be vaccinated before the
age of three months, but must be vaccinated by the age of six months.

Wisconsin 95.21 The owner of a dog shall have the dog
vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian at no later than 5 months
of age and revaccinated within one year after the initial
vaccination. The owner of a dog shall have the dog revaccinated
against rabies by a veterinarian before the date that the
immunization expires as stated on the certificate of vaccination or,
if no date is specified, within 3 years after the previous
vaccination.

Wyoming § 11-31-213 The board of county commissioners may require
the registration of all dogs and cats within a rabies control
district and may require the owner or person having the right to
possession of any dog or cat in the district three (3) months of age
or older, to present a valid rabies vaccination certificate showing
the dog or cat has been vaccinated for immunization against rabies by
a licensed veterinarian as a condition for registration. The
vaccination certificate shall indicate the date of vaccination, the
type of vaccine used and the period of immunization.

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