Rabies Vaccine Policy
Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system. It is transmitted by a bite or saliva from a rabid animal.
Oregon State and County Law Requires Rabies Vaccination for Pets
Dogs, cats, and ferrets should be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinating pets not only protects them but it provides a “buffer zone” between humans and rabid wild animals. Oregon law requires all dogs to be vaccinated against rabies as early as three months of age. In addition, Multnomah County requires all cats to be vaccinated for rabies.
Oregon law requires that unvaccinated pets who may have been in contact with rabid animals be vaccinated and quarantined for 4 months (dogs and cats) or 6 months (ferrets), or euthanized. The contact animal, such as a bat, is considered rabid unless it is tested and is negative.
Vaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets exposed to a rabid animal should be revaccinated immediately, kept under the owner's control, and quarantined for 45 days. Any illness in an isolated or confined animal should be reported immediately to the local health department. If signs suggestive of rabies develop, the animal should be euthanized and tested.
Vaccination of an animal against rabies is valid only when performed:
- By a licensed veterinarian as specified by ORS 686.350 through 686.370 and OAR 875-010-0006;
- By a veterinary technician (certified according to OAR 875-030-0010) under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian; or
- In the case of a need to vaccinate and the lack of an available veterinarian, by another person approved for this purpose by the State Public Health Veterinarian.
To be considered immunized against rabies, dogs, and cats must be vaccinated according to guidelines published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the latest version of the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control (2016) published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc.
MINIMUM Age: 3 months of age.
MUST BE VACCINATED BY: 6 months of age.
A Rabies Vaccination Certificate shall be completed and signed by a licensed veterinarian; electronic signatures are acceptable. That individual shall give the original and one copy to the dog's owner and retain one copy for the period for which the vaccination is in force. The Certificate must include at least the following information: owner's name and address; dog description by age, sex, color, and breed; date of vaccination; due date for revaccination; type and lot number of vaccine used; and name and address of vaccinator.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 413.042 & 433.365
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 433.365
Exemptions:
Oregon allows exemptions from the rabies vaccination requirement for dogs and cats if a licensed veterinarian determines that the vaccine would be harmful to the animal's health. A veterinarian must record the exemption on a Rabies Vaccination Certificate, including the reason for the exemption, the animal's description, and the owner's name and address.
The State of OREGON DOES NOT authorize Prospective Serologic Monitoring (PSM) as a means of documenting that a dog/cat has been previously vaccinated against rabies.
In Oregon, dogs owned by breeders, dealers, or exhibitors are not required to be vaccinated against rabies if they are kept in kennels and only transported to and from dog shows or fairs. However, there are some requirements for these dogs:
- The vaccination must be administered by a licensed veterinarian, veterinary technician, or someone approved by the State Public Health Veterinarian.
- A Rabies Vaccination Certificate must be completed and signed by a licensed veterinarian, If a rabies vaccination waiver is granted, the dog must be confined to prevent contact with wildlife, unvaccinated pets, and the public.
The waiver should be reconsidered at least once a year, and renewed if appropriate.
Dogs brought temporarily into the state for periods of less than 30 days and kept under strict supervision by their owners are not required to be vaccinated against rabies.
In Oregon, re-vaccination is required throughout life at the appropriate interval for the species as required by State or local laws/regulations. An exemption is not authorized on the basis of age.
NVH POLICY:
It is the policy of Newberg Veterinary Hospital (NVH) to follow Oregon law regarding rabies vaccination, including schedules, who will administer, and exposure protocols. (Oregon Health Authority 333-019-0017)
NVH will compel all admitted patients to be current with rabies vaccinations including elective surgeries, dental procedures, boarding, and planned care.
It is the policy of NVH to update (revaccinate/boost) patients that present for annual exams and routine care that are due for vaccination.
Rabies vaccination exemptions will only be approved for serious medical conditions. Examples include serious immune-mediated disease (MHA), conditions requiring immune-suppressive therapy (cancer treatment), or previously documented serious adverse reactions to rabies vaccinations. Exemptions will not be approved in cases of old age, weakness, pregnancy, minor reactions to the rabies vaccination (facial angioedema), reactions to non-rabies vaccinations, and positive rabies titers as they are not conditions that warrant an exemption.
For their safety, staff may decline to assist with dogs that are unvaccinated due to waivers.
NVH reserves the right to decline services when a client refuses to comply with OR law or NVH policy.
Annual Rabies Vaccine Waiver Form
Additional Resources:
