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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Exemption from Rabies Vaccination Form

Exemption from Rabies Vaccination Form
Date of Exam: __________________

(This certificate is valid until ________________-NOT to exceed 3 years from date of issuance)

Owner name: __________________ ____________________ Phone #: (____) _______________
Last First
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
Street City State ZIP Code
Animal name: ___________________________ Species: ________________ Breed: _______________ Age: ______ Weight: _______ Color: ____________ Sex: [ ] Male [ ] Female Neutered: [ ] Yes [ ] No
Microchip Manufacturer: ________________ Microchip#: _____________________________


I have examined the animal above and determined it to be exempt from the local licensure requirements for rabies vaccination because this procedure is contraindicated due to the medical condition of the animal.

Describe nature and duration of health risk: ______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Veterinarian’s signature: ______________________________ License number: _________________

Printed name: ___________________________ Name of Practice: _____________________________

Address:______________________________________________________________________________
Street City State ZIP Code
By signing above, pursuant to Colorado Administrative Code, 6 CCR 1009-1, Section 8, I acknowledge that a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship, as defined under C.R.S. §12-64-103 (15.5), has been established between the veterinarian, owner and animal to be exempted from rabies inoculation. Duration of exemption is limited to the anticipated duration of the animal’s medical condition that precludes inoculation, not to exceed 3 years from date of issuance.


By signing below, I acknowledge that I am the owner of the animal described above. I have been informed that this animal is exempt from rabies vaccination for a period of up to three years, and also that I have been informed of the following important information:
§ This animal must be re-examined by the expiration date listed above. At that time, the animal must either be vaccinated against rabies or, if exemption still applies, a new certificate be issued.
§ This animal is not adequately protected against rabies, and as a result is at increased risk of becoming infected if exposed to a rabid animal
§ Exemption from rabies vaccination does not exempt the animal from other Colorado regulations and laws related to rabies. If this animal bites (or potentially exposes a person to rabies by other means), it must be confined for 10 days in a facility approved by the local health department where the exposure occurred. If this animal is potentially exposed to rabies (e.g. due to a bite from an unknown animal), the local health department may require it to be quarantined for 6 months, at the expense of the owner.

Owner’s signature: ____________________________________ Date signed: _________________

A copy of this certificate must be provided to the owner of the animal listed above and be kept as proof of exemption within the medical records of the animal. For dogs (and cats in some jurisdictions), this certificate must be presented with an application for a dog (or cat) license. Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 25-4-607, Section (3), (c): “A veterinarian supplying a waiver exempting an animal from a rabies vaccination, county and municipal health departments, their assistants and employees, the health department, health officers, and anyone enforcing this part 6 shall not be liable for any subsequent accident, disease, injury, or quarantine that may occur as a result of an animal exempted from a rabies vaccination pursuant to the rules of the health department.”

Verion: 01/19/2009. Available for download from Colorado Department of Public Health Environment, Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology Division, Communicable Disease Epidemiology Program on rabies webpage: www.adphe.state.co.us/dc/zoonosis/rabies

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Rabies Vaccination Exemptions from www.truth4dogs.com

Does Your State Permit Rabies Vaccination Medical Exemptions?

Posted: 05 Mar 2012 11:23 AM PST
You and your veterinarian both agree: your dog is too ill to be vaccinated. Animal Control insists that you vaccinate against rabies.
What should you do? Kris Christine, Founder of the Rabies Challenge Fund, has been instrumental in helping to change state laws to allow rabies vaccination medical exemptions for unhealthy dogs!
See below the language of the various state laws (supplied by Kris). If your state isn’t listed, please change the law! Virtually every exemption was brought about by concerned pet parents and their veterinarians not wanting to vaccinate a health-compromised pet. If you have an unhealthy pet and your state is not listed below, find your laws at http://www.dogs4dogs.com/rabies-laws. Then call your state legislator and change the law! And please support the Rabies Challenge Fund. 2012 is the year that should finally produce antibody blood titer standards for dogs. Can you imagine being able to test your dog’s blood rather than have to unnecessarily revaccinate? Please donate to help continue this amazing vaccine study.
IMPORTANT: Please tell your veterinarians if your state permits exemptions. Many of them don’t know! And insist they apply for an exemption for your unhealthy dog. Sadly, few will volunteer. Kris says: We weren’t involved in any legislation in Illinois; the exemption language was in another section of the law — kind of like Massachusetts. A woman from the Illinois Cocker Rescue sent me the link & information. Obviously very few people were aware of it.
Other articles of interest: Rabies Vaccination Medical Exemptions for Unhealthy DogsVaccinating Unhealthy Pets: Beware Reactions & Vaccine FailureRabies Vaccination: 13 Ways to Vaccinate More SafelyWhat to Do When Your Dog Has a Vaccine Reaction Why Vets Don’t Recognize Vaccine ReactionsSign up for our free newsletter.
15 STATES with MEDICAL EXEMPTIONSAL, CA, CO, CT, FL, IL, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, OR, VT, VA, WI (please copy & paste links into browser if they do not work by clicking on them)

ALABAMA Alabama Code Alabama Code Title 3 Section 7A-2 http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/ACASLogin.asp effective August 1, 2009 (c)(1) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, the State Board of Health by rule may establish procedures and qualifications for an exemption from the requirement for a vaccination for an animal if a rabies vaccination would be injurious to the animal’s health.(2) An animal exempted under subdivision (1) shall be considered unvaccinated by the State Board of Health in the event of the animal’s exposure to a confirmed or suspected rabid animal.

CALIFORNIA On October 7, 2011, California became the 14th state with a rabies medical exemption when the Governor signed AB 258, Molly’s Bill, into law: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_0251-0300/ab_258_bill_20111007_chaptered.html

COLORADO http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/zoonosis/rabies/rules%20and%20regs%206%20ccr%201009_1.pdf A veterinarian licensed in Colorado may issue a written waiver as provided in this section exempting an animal from a rabies vaccination order if the veterinarian, in his or her professional opinion, determines the rabies inoculation is contraindicated due to the animal’s medical condition. The terms “waiver” and “exemption” as used in this section are interchangeable. A veterinarian may issue a waiver if: 1. The animal to be exempted has a medical condition defined as “a disease, illness, or other pathological state” for which, in the opinion of the exempting veterinarian, a rabies inoculation is contraindicated;2. A valid veterinary-client-patient relationship, as definied under C.R.S. Section 12-64-103 (15.5), has been established between the veterinarian, owner and animal to be exempted from rabies inoculation;3. The veterinarian completes and signs the veterinary section of the Exemption from Rabies Vaccination form provided by the department.4. The animal owner signs the informed consent section of the Exemption from Rabies Vaccination form;5. The veterinarian maintains the signed exemption as part of the animal’s medical record and provides a copy to the owner;6. The exemption issued is limited to the anticipated duration of the animal’s medical condition that precludes inoculation; and7. The veterinarian provides a copy of the exemption form to the department, the local health department or animal control agency when requested.C. A waiver may not exceed a period of three years from the date of issuance. If the medical condition persists beyond a three year period and, in the professional opinion of a veterinarian licensed in the State of Colorado the exemption continues to be appropriate, a new waiver may be issued.D. Upon receiving a complaint regarding the validity of a rabies inoculation exemption, the executive direction or his/her designee(s) may review Exemption from Rabies Vaccination forms and examine the veterinary records pertaining to the medical condition to determine if the medical condition legitimately contraindicates rabies inoculation. If appropriate, the executive director or his/her designee(s) may refer the case to the State Board of Veterinary Medicine.

CONNECTICUT http://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/pub/chap435.htm#Sec22-338.htm(b) The State Veterinarian or the Commissioner of Agriculture, or the commissioner’s designee, may grant an exemption from vaccination against rabies for a dog or cat if a licensed veterinarian has examined such animal and determined that a rabies vaccination would endanger the animal’s life due to disease or other medical considerations. Such exemption may be granted for an individual animal only after the veterinarian has consulted with the State Veterinarian, the Commissioner of Agriculture, or the commissioner’s designee, and completed and submitted to the department an application for exemption from rabies vaccination on a form approved by the Department of Agriculture. After approval of such exemption, the department shall issue a rabies vaccination exemption certificate, copies of which shall be provided to the veterinarian, the owner of the dog or cat exempted from rabies vaccination and the animal control officer of the municipality in which the owner of the dog or cat resides. Certification that a dog or cat is exempt from rabies vaccination shall be valid for one year, after which time the animal shall be vaccinated against rabies or the application for exemption shall be renewed.(c) Any veterinarian aggrieved by a denial of a request for an exemption from rabies vaccination by the State Veterinarian, the Commissioner of Agriculture or the commissioner’s designee may appeal such denial as provided in the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act, sections 4-166 to 4-189, inclusive.

FLORIDA http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?StatuteYear=2011&AppMode=Display_Results&Mode=Search%2520Statutes&Submenu=2&Tab=statutes&Search_String=vaccine (2) 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.

ILLINOIS http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1704&ChapterID=41 If a licensed veterinarian determines in writing that a rabies inoculation would compromise an animal's health, then the animal shall be exempt from the rabies shot requirement, but the owner must still be responsible for the fees.

MAINE http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/maine-cdc-rules.htmlClick on Chapter 260A. A letter of exemption from vaccination may be submitted for licensure, if a medical reason exists that precludes the vaccination of the dog. Qualifying letters must be in the form of a written statement, signed by a licensed veterinarian, that includes a description of the dog, and the medical reason that precludes vaccination. If the medical reason is temporary, the letter shall indicate a time of expiration of the exemption.B. A dog exempted under the provisions of paragraph 5 A, above, shall be considered unvaccinated, for the purposes of 10-144 C.M.R. Ch.251, Section 7(B)(1), (Rules Governing Rabies Management) in the case of said dog’s exposure to a confirmed or suspect rabid animal.

MASSACHUSETTS http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/140-145b.htm In order for a dog or cat to be accepted at an animal hospital, veterinarian’s office or boarding facility an owner or keeper of such animal shall show proof of current vaccination against rabies; provided however, that if a dog or cat has not been so vaccinated or such owner or keeper fails to show such proof the animal shall be vaccinated against rabies prior to being discharged if the animal’s medical condition permits. Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, Section 137 http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter140/Section137§ 137. Registration and licensesA person who at the commencement of a license period is, or who during any license period becomes, the owner or keeper of a dog six months old or over which is not duly licensed, and the owner or keeper of a dog when it becomes six months old during a license period, shall cause it to be registered, numbered, described and licensed until the end of such license period, and the owner or keeper of a dog so registered, numbered, described and licensed during any license period, in order to own or keep such dog after the beginning of the succeeding license period, shall, before the beginning thereof, cause it to be registered, numbered, described and licensed for such period. The registering, numbering, describing and licensing of a dog, if kept in Boston shall be in the office of the police commissioner or if kept in any other town in the office of the clerk thereof.
No town clerk or, in Boston, the police commissioner, shall grant such license for any dog unless the owner thereof provides such town clerk or, in Boston, the police commissioner, either a veterinarian’s certification that such dog has been vaccinated in accordance with the provisions of section one hundred and forty-five B, or has been certified exempt from such provision as hereinafter provided, or a notarized letter from a veterinarian that a certification was issued or a metal rabies tag bearing an expiration date indicating that such certification is still in effect.A dog licensing official may grant an exemption from the provisions of section one hundred and forty-five B for any dog which has not yet attained the age of six months, any dog which the local board of health, for a specified period of time, declared exempt upon presentation of a veterinarian’s certificate stating that because of an infirmity, other physical condition or regimen of therapy, that inoculation is thereby deemed inadvisable, or any dog in transit, or dog brought into the commonwealth, temporarily, for the sole purpose of showing in dog shows or exhibition.

NEW HAMPSHIRE http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/xl/436/436-100.htm
II. A rabies immunization exemption may be issued, where illness or a veterinary medical condition warrants, by the local rabies control authority upon the written recommendation of a veterinarian licensed under RSA 332-B. The recommendation shall also be signed by an American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine diplomate and the state veterinarian. The exempted animal shall be maintained in strict rabies isolation, under conditions that are at the discretion of the local rabies control authority, until such time as the medical condition has been resolved and the animal can be immunized against rabies. Exempted animals shall not be allowed outdoors without being on a leash and shall be under the direct physical control of an adult owner at all times. In addition, when the animal is outdoors, it shall be muzzled in a manner approved by the local rabies control authority.Source. 1985, 72:1. 1992, 250:3. 1995, 202:4, eff. June 12, 1995. 2007, 79:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2008.

NEW JERSEY http://www.state.nj.us/health/animalwelfare/law.shtml The State Department of Health shall promulgate regulations providing for the recognized duration of immunity, interval of inoculation, certificate of vaccination, certificate of exemption, and such other matters related to this act. Medical exemption form http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/ravacpolicy.doc

NEW YORK http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/rabies/docs/pet_owners_fact_sheet.pdf ExemptionsThe vaccination requirements hall not apply to any dog, cat, domesticated ferret if …. a licensed veterinarian has determined that the vaccination will adversely affect the animal’s health…. NY Medical exemption form http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AI/vetpage/Rabies%20Exempt%20Form.pdf

OREGON http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARs_300/OAR_333/333_019.html (1) Except where specifically exempt, all dogs at least three months old shall be immunized against rabies by the age of six months.(b) Dogs for which rabies immunization is contraindicated for health reasons, as determined by a licensed veterinarian subsequent to an examination. The reasons for the exemption and a specific description of the dog, including name, age, sex, breed, and color, shall be recorded by the examining veterinarian on a Rabies Vaccination Certificate, which shall bear the owner’s name and address. The veterinarian shall also record whether the exemption is permanent, and if it is not, the date the exemption ends;

VERMONT http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/rabies/documents/RabiesControlManual_vaccination.pdf 2.C.4.D. Rabies vaccination must be administered to domestic pets and wolf/hybrids prior to the age of 4 months unless in the judgment of the veterinarian the animal’s medical condition would prevent the development of adequate immunity to rabies. Animals so exempted must be inoculated against rabies as soon as their medical condition permits.

VIRGINIA http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?101+ful+CHAP0182 § 3.2-6521. (enacted March 29, 2010) D. The Board of Health shall, by regulation, provide an exemption to the requirements of subsection A if an animal suffers from an underlying medical condition that is likely to result in a life-threatening condition in response to vaccination and such exemption would not risk public health and safety. For the purposes of § 3.2-6522, such exemption shall mean that the animal is considered not currently vaccinated for rabies. For the purposes of §§ 3.2-5902, 3.2-6526, and 3.2-6527, such exemption shall be considered in place of a current certificate of vaccination.

WISCONSIN http://www.legis.state.wi.us/statutes/Stat0095.pdf (d) A city, village, or town may exempt the owner of a dog from the requirement to have the dog vaccinated against rabies for ayear based on a letter from a veterinarian stating that vaccinationis inadvisable because of a reaction to a previous vaccination, a physical condition, or a regimen of therapy that the dog is undergoing. The city, village, or town shall require the owner to providea new letter for each year in which the owner seeks an exemption under this paragraph.