(A) It shall be unlawful for an owner or keeper to fail to provide a current vaccination against rabies (hydrophobia) for any dog or cat four months of age or older. Any dog or cat adopted or redeemed from the Ashe County Animal Shelter that does not have proof of a current rabies vaccination shall be vaccinated by Ashe County Animal Control’s Certified Rabies Vaccinators or a rabies voucher must be purchased by the adopter or owner, and said animal should be vaccinated within a 72 hour period. Should it be deemed necessary by the District Health Director or the Board of County Commissioners that other pets be vaccinated in order to prevent a threatened epidemic or to control an existing epidemic, it shall be unlawful for an owner or keeper to fail to provide current vaccination against rabies for that pet.
(B) A rabies vaccination shall be deemed current for a dog or cat if the first two doses of vaccine are administered 12 months apart and each subsequent booster dose of vaccine is administered according to the North Carolina State Law.
(C) All rabies vaccines shall be administered by a licensed veterinarian or a certified rabies vaccinator.
(Ord. passed 9-20-95; Amend. Ord. passed 3-3-97; Amend. Ord. passed 10-17-22) Penalty, see § 90.99