<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 3-81. - Rabies vaccination requirements.</div>
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            <p class="p0">
               It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor or have in his custody or control
               for longer than three (3) days a dog or cat or ferret four (4) months old or older,
               unless such dog or cat or ferret has received an animal rabies vaccine licensed by
               the United States Department of Agriculture and approved by the NC Commission for
               Public Health.
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (1)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  The first vaccination of such dog or cat or ferret (which cannot be administered until
                  such dog or cat or ferret is at least three (3) months old) shall be valid for a period
                  of twelve (12) months.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (2)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  When second and subsequent vaccines are labeled as three (3) year booster vaccinations,
                  they shall be valid for thirty-six (36) months and shall be given triennially, or
                  every thirty-six (36) months. Vaccinations labeled as one (1) year boosters are valid
                  for twelve (12) months and shall be given annually, or every twelve (12) months. Certified
                  rabies vaccinators are only allowed to administer vaccinations that are valid for
                  one (1) year.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (3)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Only a North Carolina licensed veterinarian or certified rabies vaccinator may administer
                  a rabies vaccine to an animal. Any person who administers a rabies vaccine shall complete
                  a rabies vaccination certificate and issue a rabies vaccination tag to the owner of
                  the animal. The original rabies vaccination certificate shall be given to the owner
                  of the animal that receives the rabies vaccine. A copy of the rabies vaccination certificate
                  shall be retained by the licensed veterinarian or the certified rabies vaccinator.
                  A copy shall also be given to the county animal services department. The certificate
                  of rabies vaccination shall certify that the dog, cat, or ferret has been vaccinated,
                  along and include, the date of vaccination, the type of vaccine, the vaccination expiration
                  date, the rabies tag number, the sex and breed of the animal, and the name and address
                  of the owner. Anyone authorized to vaccinate animals for rabies, when doing so in
                  Cleveland County, shall provide a copy of the vaccination certificate to the Cleveland
                  County Animal Services Department within forty-five (45) days of issuance.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (4)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Each vaccinated dog shall be required to wear a rabies tag. An owner of a dog does
                  not have to display a rabies vaccination tag on the dog during the actual duration
                  of organized hunting activity while the dog is on private property with the consent
                  of the owner of the property and the owner is in actual possession of the rabies vaccination
                  tag during the organized hunting activity.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (5)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  Pursuant to G.S. Â§ 130A-190, cats are exempt from wearing tags and collars if they
                  have been implanted with a microchip with the owner's contact information.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (6)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  <span class="ital">Ferrets.</span> The owner or keeper of any ferret must have the ferret vaccinated against rabies.
                  It shall be unlawful for any ferret owner or keeper who resides in the county to fail
                  to obtain and to have in the individual's possession a current rabies vaccination
                  tag for any ferret over four (4) months of age.
                  </p>
               		
               
               <p class="incr1">
                  (7)
                  </p>
               		
               <p class="content2">
                  If an animal services officer finds an animal required to wear a rabies tag not wearing
                  one, the animal services officer shall check to see if the owner's identification
                  can be found on the animal. If the animal is wearing an owner identification tag with
                  information enabling the owner of the animal to be contacted, or if the animal services
                  officer otherwise knows who the owner is, the animal services officer shall notify
                  the owner in writing to have the animal vaccinated against rabies and to produce the
                  required rabies vaccination certificate to the animal services officer within three
                  (3) days of the notification. If the animal is not wearing an owner identification
                  tag and the animal services officer does not otherwise know who the owner is, the
                  animal services officer may impound the animal.
                  </p>
               		
               
            <p class="p0">
               A violation of this section is punishable as a misdemeanor.
               </p>
            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. Of 9-21-21(2); Ord. of 1-20-22(1))
               </p></div>