§ 14-37. Rabies vaccination of dogs and cats.
(a)
All dogs, cats, and ferrets that are four months of age or older must be vaccinated for rabies in accordance with F.S. § 828.30, (1999), as may be amended. Dogs, cats, and ferrets shall be vaccinated annually for rabies. However, dogs and cats 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 rabies 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.
(1)
Only veterinarians actively engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine, who are duly registered and licensed by the State of Florida, are hereby authorized to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies;
a.
In the event the vaccinating veterinarian does not practice in Florida, other verifiable evidence of a current rabies vaccination as deemed acceptable by the department may be substituted.
b.
No person may directly or indirectly provide false information or otherwise mislead members of the public concerning the propriety or legality of administering vaccinations to dogs, cats, or ferrets for rabies by someone other than a veterinarian.
(2)
Evidence of such vaccinations for a dog or cat shall consist of a current Sarasota County License Tag and a certificate of vaccination executed in triplicate, issued and signed by the veterinarian administering the vaccine.
(3)
The certificate of vaccination shall state the date of vaccination and type of vaccine administered, the veterinarian who administered the vaccine, the name, address and telephone number of the Owner, the breed, age, sex, color and markings on the Animal and other pertinent facts for proper identification of the Animal. One copy of the certificate shall be given to the Owner and one retained by the veterinarian administering the vaccination and one returned to the Animal Services Section.
a.
Proof of rabies vaccination in a form containing the information required by the registration certificate, shall be provided to the owner and the department by the vaccinating veterinarian. Upon request, such certificate shall be made available to any officer or representative of any enforcement agency.
b.
A medical exemption from any vaccination requirement of this Ordinance may be granted by the department if the following requirements are satisfied:
1.
A veterinarian examines the animal and certifies in writing that at the time of such examination, in his or her professional opinion, administering that vaccination would endanger the health or life of the animal. The veterinarian's certification must include the basis for his or her opinion (i.e. age, infirmity, disability, illness, or other injurious condition), the anticipated duration of this condition, and the date of administration for the last occurring series of vaccinations or a statement that this information was not available;
2.
The animal is registered with the department by submitting the veterinarian's certification and completing any other required forms and paying the applicable fee within 30 days of the exam; and
3.
The animal is securely and humanely confined.
(4)
All vaccines used shall be a type approved by the State of Florida Division of Health.
(5)
The cost of rabies vaccination shall be borne by the Owner of the Animal.
(b)
No dog or cat shall require vaccination if:
(1)
A Licensed Veterinarian has examined the Animal and certified that at such time vaccination would endanger its health because of its age, infirmity, debility, illness or other medical consideration; and
(2)
A certificate evidencing such exception is presented to Animal Services within five days of such examination.
Such exempt Animal shall be vaccinated against rabies as soon as its health permits, and then shall be licensed as required by this article.
(Ord. No. 95-042, § 7, 5-9-1994; Ord. No. 97-044, § 1(7), 6-17-1997; Ord. No. 2004-059, § 2, 6-9-2004)