Rabies Control Act
effective as of
January 1, 2010
New rules for the Rabies Control Act went into effect on January 1, 2010. Under the new rules, all dogs and cats four months of age or older will be required to have a rabies vaccination given by a licensed veterinarian. Currently no age limit is specified for initial vaccinations. Regardless of the age of the animal at initial vaccination, a booster vaccination should be administered one year later to ensure immunity to the rabies virus. In other words, dogs and cats, regardless of age, must receive 2 rabies vaccinations approximately one year apart. After these initial “booster vaccinations”, then the pet may continue receiving the rabies vaccination at 1 to 3 year intervals depending on the type of vaccine used. Both one- and three-year duration vaccines are available.
After the initial two vaccinations, if a veterinarian administers a one-year licensed rabies vaccine, the pet will need to be revaccinated one year later. If a three-year vaccine is chosen, then the pet will be required to be revaccinated three years later. Pet owners should ask their veterinarian if a one-year or three-year vaccine was used to vaccinate their animals.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the brain and nerves. Arkansans and their pets can get rabies from the bite or scratch of a rabid animal. They can also be infected by getting a rabid animal’s saliva in the eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound. All warm-blooded animals can get rabies. However, some animals are more likely to become infected than others. Animals that are a high risk for spreading rabies include: bats, skunks, foxes, coyotes, and raccoons.
Of the samples submitted to ADH Public Health Laboratory in 2009, 2 dogs, 9 bats, and 36 skunks were reported as testing positive for the rabies virus in Arkansas. Vaccinating dogs and cats against rabies not only protects pets, it also provides a barrier of protection between humans and wildlife.
Contact the Benton County Health Unit at (479) 271-1055 ext. 4 for a full list of clinics and participating veterinarians. If you live outside of Benton County, contact your local health department for information about the Rabies Clinic Week in your area.
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