A. No person shall own, keep or have in his custody a dog, cat, or ferret over 3 months of age that has not been vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Every owner of a dog, cat, or ferret shall cause said animal to be vaccinated initially with a series of two vaccinations, the first to be administered at 3 months of age, the second to be administered one year after the initial vaccination. Dogs, cats, or ferrets initially vaccinated later than 3 months of age shall also be administered a series of two vaccines, the second vaccine to be given one year after the initial vaccination. Thereafter, the interval between revaccinations shall conform to the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control,2016 Edition, Part II, Section B and Appendix 1: Rabies Vaccines Licensed and Marketed in the United States, 2016, which is published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc. Vaccine licensing and labeling, including duration of immunity, is authorized by the Center for Veterinary Biologics at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and those decisions are based on testing conducted by the vaccine manufacturer. The results of testing are presented to USDA during the registration process.
Credits
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 40:4(A)(2)(a), R.S. 40:5(A) (2)(10)(11) and R.S. 40:1269.3.
HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, LR 28:1223 (June 2002), amended LR 33:650 (April 2007), LR 41:2657 (December 2015), amended by the Department of Health, Office of Public Health, LR:45:670 (May 2019).
<For suspension or modification of this Title related to COVID-19 see Proclamation Number 25 JBE 2020 dated March 11, 2020.>