Rabies Vaccination and Exemption Laws for Dogs

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Label code (short name, no spaces)Label descriptive nameColor (Hex code, e.g. #80BFB9)
Label-1Rabies Vaccination Required No Exemption#5AB4AC
Label-2Rabies Vaccination Required Allows Exemption#01665E
Label-3Rabies Vaccination for IMPORTED Dogs Only#C7EAE5
Label-4No Rabies Law or Regulation #8C510A
Map data: 
StateURL (relative path, e.g. /statute/name-of-page)Label code (must match Label code from Label creation table)
Alabamahttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/al-dog-consolidated-dog-laws#s3_7A_2Label-2
Alaskahttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/ak-rabies-7-aac-27022-rabies-vaccination-and-quarantineLabel-1
Arizonahttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/az-dog-arizona-consolidated-dog-laws#s11_1010Label-1
Arkansashttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/ar-health-state-board-health-rabies-regulations#sIIILabel-1
Californiahttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/ca-rabies-chapter-1-rabies-control#s121690Label-2
Coloradohttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/co-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#s25_4_607Label-2
Connecticuthttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/ct-dog-consolidated-dog-laws#s339bLabel-2
Delawarehttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/de-rabies-subchapter-i-rabies-control-animal-and-human-populations#s8204Label-1
Floridahttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/fl-cruelty-humane-slaughter-consolidated-cruelty-statuteshumane-slaughter-laws#s30Label-2
Georgiahttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/ga-rabies-chapter-19-control-rabies#s31-19-5Label-1
Hawaiihttps://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/animal-quarantine-information-page/rabies-quarantine-frequently-asked-questions/Label-4
Idahohttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/id-rabies-500-dogs-and-catsLabel-3
Illinoishttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/il-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#s58Label-2
Indianahttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/state-board-animal-health-rabies-immunizationLabel-1
Iowahttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/ia-dog-iowa-dangerous-doggeneral-dog-laws#s33Label-1
Kansashttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/ks-rabies-9-18-5-importing-dogs-and-catsLabel-3
Kentuckyhttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/az-dog-arizona-consolidated-dog-laws#s11_1010Label-1
Louisianahttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/la-rabies-%C2%A7-103-mandatory-vaccinations-dogs-cats-and-ferrets-formerly-paragraph-3002Label-1
Mainehttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/me-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#s3916Label-2
Marylandhttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/md-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#s18_318Label-1
Massachusettshttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/ma-dog-consolidated-dog-laws#s145BLabel-2
Michiganhttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/mi-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#s266Label-1
Minnesotahttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/mn-health-17210500-importation-dogs-cats-or-ferretsLabel-3
Mississippihttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/ms-dog-consolidated-dog-laws#s41_53_1Label-1
Missourihttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/mo-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#s322_030Label-1
Montanahttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/montana-health-323213-special-requirements-dogs-and-catsLabel-3
Nebraskahttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/ne-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#71-4402Label-1
Nevadahttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/nv-rabies-441a435-owner-required-maintain-dog-cat-or-ferret-currently-vaccinatedLabel-2
New Hampshirehttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/nh-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#s436_100Label-2
New Jerseyhttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/nj-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#s15_2aLabel-2
New Mexicohttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/nm-dog-consolidated-dog-laws#s3Label-1
New Yorkhttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/ny-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#%C2%A7%202141Label-2
North Carolinahttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/nc-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#s130A_185Label-1
North Dakotahttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/nd-rabies-481-13-01-01-importation-requirements-certificate-veterinary-inspectionLabel-3
Ohiohttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/oh-rabies-9011-17-05-dogs-and-catsLabel-3
Oklahomahttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/ok-rabies-310599-3-91-required-immunization-dogs-cats-and-ferretsLabel-1
Oregonhttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/or-dog-consolidated-dog-laws#s433_365Label-2
Pennsylvaniahttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/pa-rabies-chapter-7a-rabies-prevention-and-control-domestic-animals-and-wildlife-act#s8Label-2
Rhode Islandhttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/ri-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#s13_31Label-1
South Carolinahttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/sc-dog-consolidated-dog-laws#s47_5_60Label-1
South Dakotahttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/sd-health-12680609-importation-cats-and-dogsLabel-3
Tennesseehttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/tn-rabies-chapter-8-rabies#s103Label-1
Texashttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/nc-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#s130A_185Label-1
Utahhttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/ut-animal-disease-control-r58-animal-industry#s13Label-3
Vermonthttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/vt-dogs-wolf-hybrids-consolidated-dog-laws#s3581Label-1
Virginiahttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/va-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#s6521Label-2
Washingtonhttps://www.animallaw.info/administrative/wa-rabies-246-100-197-rabies-measures-prevent-human-diseaseLabel-1
West Virginiahttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/wv-dogs-consolidated-dog-laws#s19_20A_2Label-1
Wisconsinhttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/wi-rabies-9521-rabies-control-programLabel-2
Wyominghttps://www.animallaw.info/statute/wy-dog-consolidated-dog-laws#s11_31_213Label-1
Summary: This map describes state rabies vaccination laws with those states that allow owners to seek an exemption (opt-out) from vaccination requirements. To date (2023), only 16 states have laws or regulations that allow owners to seek a medical exemption from having their dogs vaccinated for rabies. One state (Hawaii) has no laws or regulations that require vaccination on a statewide basis. Nine states only require rabies vaccinations for IMPORTED animals above a certain age (usually 3 months old). The remaining majority (25 states) require vaccination of dogs against the rabies virus by a certain age, with booster shots at certain intervals (Georgia REQUIRES counties to implement laws and also requires imported dogs to be vaccinated: https://www.animallaw.info/administrative/ga-rabies-40-13-2-19-pets). THIS MAP DOES NOT EXAMINE RABIES LAWS AT THE LOCAL (CITY OR COUNTY) LEVEL. MOST CITIES AND COUNTIES HAVE AN ADDITIONAL OR SEPARATE RABIES VACCINATION REQUIREMENT. Readers should search their municipal codes or contact their city or county clerk's office to learn about local rabies laws.