H-4011.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2681

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1998 Regular Session

By Representatives Zellinsky, Anderson and Dyer

Read first time 01/16/98.  Referred to Committee on Health Care.

Requiring rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats, and ferrets.

    AN ACT Relating to rabies vaccination for dogs, cats, and ferrets; adding a new section to chapter 16.70 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 16.70 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) All dogs, cats, and ferrets shall be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian against rabies in accordance with rules adopted by the department of health that are based on the current compendium of animal rabies control published by the national association of state public health veterinarians.

    (2) A dog, cat, or ferret is not required to be vaccinated against rabies if a licensed veterinarian has examined the animal and has certified in writing that at such a time vaccinations would endanger the animal's health because of its age, infirmity, disability, illness, or other medical considerations.  An exempt animal shall be vaccinated against rabies as soon as its health permits.

    (3) Upon vaccination against rabies, a licensed veterinarian shall provide the animal's owner and the animal control authority, or in the absence of a local animal control authority, the local health jurisdiction, with a rabies vaccination certificate that includes, but is not limited to, the following information:

    (a) The name, address, and telephone number of the owner;

    (b) The date of vaccination;

    (c) The expiration date of the vaccination;

    (d) The species age, sex, color, breed, weight, and name of the animal vaccinated;

    (e) The rabies vaccine manufacturer;

    (f) The vaccine lot and serial numbers;

    (g) The type and brand of vaccine used;

    (h) The route of administration of the vaccine; and

    (i) The name, address, and telephone number of the administering licensed veterinarian.

    The rabies vaccination certificate shall be maintained on file for a period of four years.

    (4) The department of agriculture shall develop a standardized rabies vaccination certificate form to be used by licensed veterinarians for all dog, cat, and ferret rabies vaccinations administered on or after January 1, 1999.  The department of agriculture may allow licensed veterinarians to develop vaccination certificates that are consistent with the standardized certificate.

    (5) Any person who fails to comply with this section is subject to a civil penalty of fifty dollars.

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