Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic viral disease that afffects the central nervous system and brain. It is a deadly viral disease that primarily affects mammals, including humans. It's typically transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly through bites. Once symptoms develop, rabies is almost always fatal. In the United States, it's not unusual for one to two people to die annually. Among animals, there were 3,579 reported cases of rabies in the U.S. in 2022. You can help prevent rabies infections by vaccinating your animals and keeping them away from wildlife that can spread the disease.
Rabies is 100% preventable
Rabies is 100% preventable
What Pet Owners Need To Know About Rabies Vaccinations in New York State
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that attacks the nervous system, primarily affecting mammals, including humans. It's typically transmitted through the saliva of infected a nim(Effective November 20, 2002, this information sheet must be provided by pet dealers to consumers upon point of sale of cats, dogs, and ferrets.) ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies,starting at four months of age
In New York Stae, ALL DOGS,CATS AND FERRETS 4 months of age and older MUST BE KEPT UP TO DATE ON RABIES. We, at Churchville Vet require that all active patients with us maintain up-to-date Rabies vaccination certification on file. We do not mind if your pet receives their Rabies Vaccination elsewhere, simply submit to us a copy of their updated Rabies vaccination certificate to us so we may place it in their medical records. Even if you decline all other vaccinations for your pet, we are still obligated to have your pet vaccinated for Rabies, and failure to do so may result in our inability to provide proper care.
There are only certain rare instances of severe medical conditions in a pet that would exempt them from mandatory Rabies vaccination, only a Veterinarian can provide certification for such exemption which needs to be reevaluated and completed yearly. A history of their disease must be kept on file and up-to-date in their medical records along with frequent examinations as deemed appropriate by a veterinarian.
Where can I get my pet vaccinated?
Rabies vaccinations are available in clinic from your veterinarian for dogs, cats and ferrets. If you have questions about new vaccines developed specifically for cats and for pets at younger ages, contact your county health department or veterinarian. All counties are required to provide a free vaccination clinic every four months. You many contact your county health department for the schedule in your area.
When should my pet receive its first Rabies vaccination?
The law requires that your pet's first Rabies vaccination be given no later than four months after its date of birth. Many Rabies vaccines are licensed for use at three months, although some may be given at younger ages.
When should my pet receive its second Rabies vaccination?
Your pet should receive its second Rabies vaccination within one year of the initial vaccination. THIS IS IMPORTANT. The second Rabies shot and all shots thereafter are sometimes called booster shots and they can last for three years based on your pets vaccination statues and schedule.
After my pet gets its second rabies shot, when is the next booster shot due?
After the second rabies shot, if a pet is kept up to date, you only need to get additional booster shots every three years if the vaccination clinic or your veterinarian is using a Rabies vaccine licensed for three years.
What proof will I have that my pet received its Rabies shot?
The veterinarian, or a person under the veterinarian's supervision, will provide you with a certificate as proof that your pet has been vaccinated. The veterinarian's office will also keep a copy of your pet's vaccination certificate. The law requires the veterinarian to provide the vaccination certificate to any public health official for any case involving your dog, cat, or ferret that may have been exposed to Rabies, or in any case of possible exposure of a person or another animal to Rabies.
What if my pet needs to be taken to the veterinarian?
Whenever you bring your pet to a veterinarian, s/he will verify if the animal is up to date on its Rabies shots. If the animal is not up to date on its Rabies shots, is exempt as stated below, or if the veterinarian cannot find proof of the animal's Rabies vaccination history, you will be required to have your pet vaccinated for rabies at that time.
If my pet bites a person, does it have to be euthanized (put to sleep)?
This varies based on the circumstances of the case. This guidance will be given to you by the Health Department. If your pet bites someone is not up to date and IS also showing signs of potential rabies infection such as neurological concerns and/or has potentially had an exposure it is likely they will need to be euthanized to test for rabies. further guidance will be given by the Health Department. During the ten day confinement/observation period, the county or a designated party must verify that your pet is under confinement and observation, and has remained healthy during and at end of the ten day period.
Fines
If your dog, cat, or domesticated ferret is not vaccinated, is not up to date on its vaccinations, or is not properly confined after biting someone, as the owner you maybe subjected to a fine not to exceed $200 for each offense. This may vary based on your county regulations.
Exemptions
The vaccination requirements shall not apply to any dog, cat, or domesticated ferret if the animal is transported through New York State and remains in the state 15 days or less; the animal is confined to the premises of an incorporated society devoted to the care of lost, stray or homeless animals; a licensed veterinarian has determined that the vaccination will adversely affect the animal's health; the animal is confined to the premises of a college or other educational or research institution for research purposes; or if the animal is unowned (feral, wild, not socialized).
NYSDOH, 11/20/2002
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that attacks the nervous system, primarily affecting mammals, including humans. It's typically transmitted through the saliva of infected a nim(Effective November 20, 2002, this information sheet must be provided by pet dealers to consumers upon point of sale of cats, dogs, and ferrets.) ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies,starting at four months of age
In New York Stae, ALL DOGS,CATS AND FERRETS 4 months of age and older MUST BE KEPT UP TO DATE ON RABIES. We, at Churchville Vet require that all active patients with us maintain up-to-date Rabies vaccination certification on file. We do not mind if your pet receives their Rabies Vaccination elsewhere, simply submit to us a copy of their updated Rabies vaccination certificate to us so we may place it in their medical records. Even if you decline all other vaccinations for your pet, we are still obligated to have your pet vaccinated for Rabies, and failure to do so may result in our inability to provide proper care.
There are only certain rare instances of severe medical conditions in a pet that would exempt them from mandatory Rabies vaccination, only a Veterinarian can provide certification for such exemption which needs to be reevaluated and completed yearly. A history of their disease must be kept on file and up-to-date in their medical records along with frequent examinations as deemed appropriate by a veterinarian.
Where can I get my pet vaccinated?
Rabies vaccinations are available in clinic from your veterinarian for dogs, cats and ferrets. If you have questions about new vaccines developed specifically for cats and for pets at younger ages, contact your county health department or veterinarian. All counties are required to provide a free vaccination clinic every four months. You many contact your county health department for the schedule in your area.
When should my pet receive its first Rabies vaccination?
The law requires that your pet's first Rabies vaccination be given no later than four months after its date of birth. Many Rabies vaccines are licensed for use at three months, although some may be given at younger ages.
When should my pet receive its second Rabies vaccination?
Your pet should receive its second Rabies vaccination within one year of the initial vaccination. THIS IS IMPORTANT. The second Rabies shot and all shots thereafter are sometimes called booster shots and they can last for three years based on your pets vaccination statues and schedule.
After my pet gets its second rabies shot, when is the next booster shot due?
After the second rabies shot, if a pet is kept up to date, you only need to get additional booster shots every three years if the vaccination clinic or your veterinarian is using a Rabies vaccine licensed for three years.
What proof will I have that my pet received its Rabies shot?
The veterinarian, or a person under the veterinarian's supervision, will provide you with a certificate as proof that your pet has been vaccinated. The veterinarian's office will also keep a copy of your pet's vaccination certificate. The law requires the veterinarian to provide the vaccination certificate to any public health official for any case involving your dog, cat, or ferret that may have been exposed to Rabies, or in any case of possible exposure of a person or another animal to Rabies.
What if my pet needs to be taken to the veterinarian?
Whenever you bring your pet to a veterinarian, s/he will verify if the animal is up to date on its Rabies shots. If the animal is not up to date on its Rabies shots, is exempt as stated below, or if the veterinarian cannot find proof of the animal's Rabies vaccination history, you will be required to have your pet vaccinated for rabies at that time.
If my pet bites a person, does it have to be euthanized (put to sleep)?
This varies based on the circumstances of the case. This guidance will be given to you by the Health Department. If your pet bites someone is not up to date and IS also showing signs of potential rabies infection such as neurological concerns and/or has potentially had an exposure it is likely they will need to be euthanized to test for rabies. further guidance will be given by the Health Department. During the ten day confinement/observation period, the county or a designated party must verify that your pet is under confinement and observation, and has remained healthy during and at end of the ten day period.
Fines
If your dog, cat, or domesticated ferret is not vaccinated, is not up to date on its vaccinations, or is not properly confined after biting someone, as the owner you maybe subjected to a fine not to exceed $200 for each offense. This may vary based on your county regulations.
Exemptions
The vaccination requirements shall not apply to any dog, cat, or domesticated ferret if the animal is transported through New York State and remains in the state 15 days or less; the animal is confined to the premises of an incorporated society devoted to the care of lost, stray or homeless animals; a licensed veterinarian has determined that the vaccination will adversely affect the animal's health; the animal is confined to the premises of a college or other educational or research institution for research purposes; or if the animal is unowned (feral, wild, not socialized).
NYSDOH, 11/20/2002
