Rabies Vaccination

Rabies Vaccinations

State law requires that dogs, cats, and ferrets be inoculated against rabies by 4 months of age and that county agencies organize at least one rabies clinic countywide per year for the purpose of vaccinating against rabies (See Ordinances Below). Pursuant to state and local laws, Haywood County Animal Services offers rabies vaccines to pets residing within the county at our Jones Cove Road location year-round. All full-time staff are Certified Rabies Vaccinators and may administer 1-Year Rabies Vaccines to dogs, cats, and ferrets 3 months old and older.

Rabies vaccines are administered BY APPOINTMENT ONLY during the week Monday – Friday between 11:00am and 4:30pm. 

To schedule an appointment, call 828-456-5338 ext. 4 during business hours.  

Fee: $10 (cash or check only)


 § 91.20 COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW.

(A) It shall be unlawful for any domestic animal owner or other person to fail to comply with the state laws relating to the control of rabies.

12 Haywood County – General Regulations

Amended 7-18-2022

(B) It is the purpose of this subchapter to supplement the state laws by providing a procedure for the enforcement of state laws relating to rabies control, in addition to the criminal penalties provided by state law.

(Ord. passed - -86; Am. Ord. passed 4-16-92; Am. Ord. passed 7-18-2022) Penalty, see § 91.99


§ 91.21 INOCULATION OF DOGS AND CATS.

(A) It shall be unlawful for an owner to fail to provide current inoculation against rabies (hydrophobia) by a licensed veterinarian or certified rabies vaccinator for any dog or cat four months of age or older. If deemed necessary by the County Health Director or the State Public Health Veterinarian that other domestic animals be inoculated in order to prevent a threatened epidemic or to control an existing epidemic, it shall be unlawful for an owner to fail to provide current inoculation against rabies for that domestic animal.

(B) A rabies inoculation shall be deemed current for a dog or cat if its first inoculation has been given within the preceding one (1) year, or if a second or subsequent inoculation with a vaccine that is FDA approved for three (3) years protection against rabies, has been given within the preceding three (3) years.

(Ord. passed - -86; Am. Ord. passed 4-16-92; Am. Ord. passed 5-20-96; Am. Ord. passed 7-18-2022)

Penalty, see § 91.99


§ 91.22 EVIDENCE OF INOCULATION OF DOGS AND CATS.

(A) Upon complying with the provisions of § 91.21, there shall be issued to the owner of the animal inoculated, a numbered metallic tag, stamped with the number and the year for which issued, appropriately color-coded as recommended by the State Public Health Veterinarian, and indicating that the animal has been inoculated against rabies.

(B) It shall be unlawful for any dog owner to fail to provide the dog with a collar or harness to which a current tag issued under this section be securely attached. The collar or harness, with attached tag, must be worn at all times, except as provided by § 91.06(B) of this chapter.

(C) It shall be unlawful for any person to use for any dog a rabies inoculation tag issued for a dog other than the one for which the tag was issued.

(D) The owner of dogs or cats shall maintain the rabies inoculation certificate as written evidence that the dog or cat has a current rabies inoculation.

(Ord. passed - -86; Am. Ord. passed 4-16-92) Penalty, see § 91.99

 

County Rabies Vaccination Clinics

Pursuant to G.S. 130A-187, local health directors are required to organize or assist other county departments in organizing at least one countywide rabies vaccination clinic per year for the purpose of vaccinating dogs, cats and ferrets. As pet vaccinations expire daily, providing multiple vaccination clinics throughout the year (depending on needs assessment) would likely improve vaccination rates. N.C. DPH recommends that at least one licensed veterinarian participate on-site at these clinics to provide three-year boosters to those animals with proof of previous rabies vaccination (rabies certificate or official veterinary records), and to be available to provide medical care if an adverse vaccine event occurs.

Note: Local Health Directors, please refer to the Certified Rabies Vaccinator (CRV)

Guidance Document

(http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/cd/lhds/manuals/rabies/docs/crv_for_lhds.pdf).