§ 4-21. Vaccination of dogs, cats and ferrets.

(a)

Any person who owns or keeps a dog, cat, or ferret three (3) months or older is required to have the dog, cat or ferret vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian in accord with the most recent edition of the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control developed by the National Association of State and Public Health Veterinarians. Dogs, cats and ferrets are required to be vaccinated based on the most accurate recommendations from the state-accepted rabies compendium. The animal shall be revaccinated twelve (12) months after the initial vaccination, and, thereafter, the interval between vaccinations shall conform to the vaccine manufacturers' directions. A veterinarian in his or her discretion may use a rabies vaccine of either one (1) or three (3) years' duration of immunity. Evidence of circulating rabies virus neutralizing antibodies shall not be used as a substitute for current vaccination in managing rabies exposure or determining the need for booster vaccinations. It is a violation of this article for the owner or keeper of a dog, cat or ferret to refuse or fail to have the dog, cat or ferret vaccinated against rabies as required by this section.

(b)

Evidence of vaccination shall consist of a "rabies vaccination certificate" signed by the veterinarian administering the vaccination and provided to the animal's owner and the division of animal services along with a rabies tag. The tag must be attached to the animal's collar, which shall be worn by the animal at all times. A certificate and tag issued for one (1) animal is not valid for any other animal. The rabies vaccination certificate must contain at least the following information:

(1)

The license number of the administering veterinarian;

(2)

The name, address, and phone number of the veterinarian and owner;

(3)

The date of vaccination;

(4)

The expiration date of the vaccination;

(5)

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

(6)

The rabies vaccine manufacturer;

(7)

The vaccine lot number and expiration date;

(8)

The type and brand of vaccine used;

(9)

The route of administration of the vaccine;

(10)

The signature or signature stamp of the licensed veterinarian.

(c)

Each ferret vaccinated according to this section must be quarantined, when necessary, according to rules of the department of health.

(d)

Pursuant to Section 828.30, Florida Statutes, an animal owner's name, street address, phone number, and animal rabies' tag number contained in a rabies vaccination certificate provided to the department of animal services is exempt from Section 119.07(1), Florida Statutes. To the extent authorized by law, law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies; other animal control authorities; emergency and medical response and disease control agencies; or other governmental health agencies shall be provided information contained in the rabies vaccination certificate for the purpose of controlling the transmission of rabies; however, the receiving agencies and authorities must not release the exempt information.

(e)

Collar required; rabies tag to be attached. Each animal kept within the unincorporated areas of the county shall be provided by its owner with a collar, made of durable material to which the license tag provided for in this division shall be securely fastened. No animal shall be permitted to be kept or remain within the unincorporated area of the county unless the owner thereof shall have caused such cat to be registered, provided with and required to wear a collar and tag as herein provided.

(f)

Removal of collar or tag. No person not being the owner of such animal shall remove or take off or cause to be removed or taken off the collar or the tag upon the cat within the unincorporated area of the county.

(g)

A dog, cat, or ferret is exempt from vaccination against rabies if a licensed veterinarian has examined the animal and has certified in writing that at the time vaccination would endanger the animal's health because of its age, infirmity, disability, illness, or other medical considerations. An exempt animal must be vaccinated against rabies as soon as its health permits and the animal shall be kept in an enclosed building or kennel during the time it remains unvaccinated.

(Ord. No. 86-47, § 6, 9-9-86; Ord. No. 2018-22, § 1, 5-8-18)