§ 4-29. Rabies vaccination and county licenses.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog, cat or ferret which is four (4) months of age or older, to fail to have said animal vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian of his or her choice with a modified live virus, rabies vaccine, inactivated rabies vaccine or other vaccine which is approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for use in those species.

(b)

Upon vaccination against rabies, the licensed veterinarian shall provide the animal's owner and the department with Form 51, "Rabies Vaccination Certificate", of the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASHPHV), or other form approved by the county, which shall contain at least the following information:

(1)

The license number of the administering veterinarian;

(2)

The name, address, and phone number of the veterinarian and owner;

(3)

The date of the vaccination;

(4)

The expiration of the vaccination;

(5)

The species, age, sex, color, breed, weight, and name of the animal vaccinated;

(6)

The rabies vaccine manufacturer;

(7)

The vaccine lot number and expiration date;

(8)

The type and brand of vaccine used and the duration of immunity;

(9)

The route of administration of the vaccine;

(10)

The signature or signature stamp of the licensed veterinarian.

The licensed veterinarian shall provide the rabies vaccination certificate to the department the first week of the month following the month the vaccination was given. Failure to comply shall constitute a violation of this section. For first violations, a written warning will be issued. For a second violation, the fine shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00) per violation. For third and subsequent violations, the fine shall be two hundred dollars ($200.00) per violation.

(c)

Upon rabies vaccination of any dog or cat that resides in Osceola County, the owner shall acquire a county license tag. If the veterinarian that administers the rabies vaccination does not issue county license tags, the owner shall have fifteen (15) days from the date of vaccination in which to acquire the necessary tag from the county. The owner must show proof of rabies certification to the department in order to acquire the necessary county license tag. Only tags approved by the department shall be valid in Osceola County. Community cats are exempted from the licensing requirement as they have no known legal owners. However, community cat caregivers shall make their best effort to ensure that rabies vaccinations are current.

(d)

Each tag shall be valid for the period of time indicated on the rabies vaccination certificate. The county recognizes both one (1) year and three (3) year rabies vaccinations. A tag issued for one (1) animal is not valid for any other animal. No tag shall be valid after the expiration of the rabies vaccination, regardless of the date of issuance. It shall be a violation to possess or use a stolen, invalid, counterfeit or forged certificate, tag or other document required by or issued pursuant to this chapter.

(e)

The department or public health unit may mandate revaccination of currently vaccinated animals in instances involving post-exposure treatment for rabies, regardless of the immunity period of the rabies inoculation.

(f)

The county license tag shall be attached to the collar of the animal and shall be worn at all times except:

(1)

When the animal is participating in a sanctioned dog or cat show;

(2)

When the animal is confined inside the home of the owner or a licensed kennel;

(3)

When a licensed veterinarian orders, in writing, that the collar and tag of a dog or cat be removed for health reasons, the dog or cat shall be confined inside a residence, veterinary clinic, or boarding facility at all times, except when being walked on an appropriate tether, leash, or cord by a competent adult for the purpose of exercise or elimination, until a licensed veterinarian permits the collar and tag to be placed back on the dog or cat;

(4)

A police dog, as defined in F.S. § 843.18, shall be exempt from wearing a license tag while being used by a law enforcement agency;

(5)

A working agricultural animal or service animal shall be exempt from wearing a license tag while being used in the performance of such work or service;

(6)

Community cats.

(g)

No rabies-susceptible animal need be vaccinated for rabies where a licensed veterinarian has examined the animal and certified in writing that at the time vaccination would endanger the health of the animal because of its age, infirmity, debility, illness or other physiological considerations, and such certification is presented to the department within five (5) days of a request. Any such animal must be vaccinated against rabies as soon as its health permits. No such certification shall be valid for more than twelve (12) months from the date of issuance of certification by the veterinarian.

(h)

Any person who brings a dog or cat into the county with the intent to reside in the county permanently, or temporarily for a minimum of six (6) months, shall comply with this section no later than thirty (30) days after arrival.

(i)

If a tag is lost or destroyed, a replacement tag shall be issued upon presentation of the corresponding certificate and payment of the appropriate fee.

(j)

For their services provided in the handling and distribution of said tags, veterinarians may be allowed to retain a portion of the license tag fee as shall be established by the board of county commissioners through a duly adopted resolution.

(k)

By resolution, the board of county commissioners shall establish a schedule of fees to be charged for tags issued pursuant to this section. All such fees shall remain valid until modified by a new resolution. Owners of working agricultural animals, service animals and law enforcement animals are exempt from paying license tag fees.

(Ord. No. 2017-49, § 1, 8-7-17; Ord. No. 2018-25, § 1, 4-9-18)