§ 2-4-4. Dog, cat, and ferret rabies vaccination requirement; medical exemption.

(a)

Rabies vaccination required.

(1)

It is a violation of this ordinance for the owner or custodian of a dog, cat, or ferret to fail to have each dog, cat, or ferret vaccinated with an anti-rabies vaccine, as required by this section.

(2)

Any person who owns a dog, cat, or ferret, four (4) months of age or older, shall have such dog, cat, or ferret vaccinated with an anti-rabies vaccine in accordance with Section 828.30, Florida Statutes (2005), as may be amended. Dogs and cats shall be vaccinated annually for rabies; however, dogs, cats, and ferrets vaccinated by a veterinarian using a USDA-approved triennial vaccine are considered currently vaccinated for the entire three-year period and will not be required to have an annual revaccination for the purpose of obtaining a license tag except that dogs and cats vaccinated at less than one year of age must be revaccinated with a booster one year after the initial vaccination.

(3)

Proof of rabies vaccination in a form containing the information required by the registration certificate shall be provided to the owner and the division by the vaccinating veterinarian. Upon request, such certificate shall be made available to any officer or representative of any enforcement agency. In the event the vaccinating veterinarian does not practice in Florida, other verifiable evidence of a current rabies vaccination as deemed acceptable by the division may be substituted.

(b)

Medical exemption.

(1)

A medical exemption from any vaccination requirement of the ordinance may be granted by the division if the following requirements are satisfied:

a.

A veterinarian examines the dog or cat and certifies in writing that at the time of such examination, in his or her professional opinion, administering the vaccination would endanger the health or life of the animal. The veterinarian's certification must include the basis for his or her opinion (e.g., age, infirmity, disability, illness, or other injurious condition), the anticipated duration of this condition, and the dates of administration for the last occurring series of vaccinations or a statement that this information was not available; and

b.

The dog or cat is registered with the division within thirty (30) days of the exam by submitting the veterinarian's certification, completing any other required forms, and paying the applicable fee; and

c.

The dog or cat is securely and humanely confined.

(2)

In no event shall any exemption granted pursuant to this section be in effect for more than one year without recertification by a veterinarian. As soon as the animal's condition permits, it must be vaccinated and otherwise come into full compliance with the ordinance.

(3)

The division must be contacted upon expiration or termination of the exemption and/or the animal's condition, and within fourteen (14) days provide proof of compliance with all vaccination requirements.

(Ord. No. 12-10, § 1, 5-8-12)