Your dogs could come into contact in your own backyard with mice or rats that could carry rabies.
Since the beginning of rabies vaccination requirements, the Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington shows the cases of confirmed canine rabies has dropped from 6,949 cases in 1947 to just 76 cases in 2005. All mammals are at risk for rabies if they come into contact with another carrying the disease. Like most states in the U.S., Washington requires all dogs and cats in a household to be vaccinated to protect the public.
Vaccination Requirements
Puppies and kittens must have their first vaccination by the age of 6 months. All rabies inoculations must be given by a licensed veterinarian. One year after the initial vaccination, all dogs and cats must have a rabies booster. Following the first yearly rabies vaccine, all dogs and cats must have yearly or, where allowed, three- or four-year boosters of the rabies vaccine.
Rabies Tag
Animals vaccinated with the rabies vaccine must wear a corresponding tag with veterinarian contact information and an individual ID number. This allows a lost dog to be cleared from quarantine for rabies.
License
Proof of a yearly, or three- or four-year vaccination of rabies is required to receive a county license. Dog owners will be cited, and may be fined, if their dogs do not have the necessary certification.
Jurisdiction
Each county is responsible for governing its own rabies requirement laws. While state laws provide a basis for minimum requirements, other issues such as how often licensing is required, what types of rabies vaccine are acceptable and other special allowances depend on the county provisions. Some counties issue a new license tag each year with renewal. Others require the renewal on paper, but only issue a tag once. Several counties offer a lifetime license for dogs and cats that are neutered or spayed as well, but a proof of rabies vaccination is still required.
Animal Control Canvassing
Animal control will occasionally canvass the area and require proof of rabies for any cat or dog in a household. This allows communities to enforce 100 percent compliance with vaccination and licensing. During the canvassing, it is the job of the animal control officer to educate the community about the need for vaccinations and how they protect their pets and themselves.
Violations
Dogs or cats not wearing a rabies tag and without a license will be required to be vaccinated, and their owners will be given a citation if they don't have the necessary paperwork to prove their pet's compliance.
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