Model Rabies Control Ordinance revised

The Executive Board revised the AVMA Model Rabies Control Ordinance to reflect the existence of vaccines for younger animals, and to eliminate inconsistencies with the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control.

The revisions change the rabies vaccination requirements for initial vaccinations to read:

Effective ________ in the (city, town, village, or county) of ________, the owner of every dog, cat, or ferret 3 months of age or older shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies. Vaccination at a younger age should be in accordance with the labels of USDA licensed rabies vaccines. Unvaccinated dogs, cats, or ferrets more than 3 months of age, that are acquired or moved into the (city, town, village, or county) must be vaccinated within 30 days of purchase or arrival, unless there is documented evidence of current vaccination.

Additionally, the board revised the definition of a currently vaccinated animal to refer to the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control. The new definition is as follows:

Currently Vaccinated Against Rabies describes an animal that has received a primary rabies vaccine, or has received a booster vaccine, administered in accordance with the current Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control prepared and updated annually by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians. Rabies vaccination must be performed by or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian who is licensed or legally permitted to practice veterinary medicine in the state.