(A) The owner of every dog over the age of four months shall ensure that his or her pet is currently vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian and secure a license. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any dog that has been certified in writing by a licensed veterinarian to be unable to undergo a vaccination on account of a danger to the health of the dog and if the exemption is approved by the Health Officer or County Veterinarian.
(B) Within 28 days after primary vaccination, a peak rabies antibody level is reached and the animal can be considered immunized. Dogs less than four months of age must be confined at home or kept under close leash supervision by the owner.
(C) Regardless of the age of the animal at initial vaccination, a second rabies booster vaccination shall be given one year later, and the three-year booster schedule followed thereafter. Because a rapid anamnestic response is expected, an animal is considered currently vaccinated immediately after a booster vaccination. An animal that is overdue for a rabies vaccine should receive a booster as soon as possible and then be placed on a three-year booster schedule.
(D) Any dog found to be in violation of vaccination requirements of this chapter may be impounded and subject to the provisions of §§ 13.01.035 et seq. (Reference: Cal. Health and Safety Code § 121690)
(E) Vaccination - cats. No person owning, having an interest in, harboring, or having the care, charge, custody or possession of a cat shall allow or permit such cat to go on the public streets in any manner, or to go free and run at large in or upon any place outside of incorporated cities in the county, unless such cat has been vaccinated with anti-rabies vaccine approved by the health officer at intervals of not over three years. (SBC § 13.01.125; modified to allow intervals of up to three years.)
(F) Transportation of dogs or cats from areas where rabies exists. No person shall take a dog or cat or permit or encourage a dog or cat to go from a city or town in which rabies exists or has existed within six months previously, or from a place in the county within five miles of which rabies exists or has existed within six months previously, to any place in the county in which rabies does not exist, or has not been known to be present within six months. (SBC § 13.01.130) A USDA licensed feline rabies vaccine shall be administered according to the vaccine label instructions.
(G) No person shall bring a dog or cat into the county from a county in which rabies is present or has been known to be present within six months. (SBC § 13.01.130)
(Ord. 836, § 1 (part))