Rabies Vaccination Laws for Shelters
Currently, Wisconsin law (Wis. stat. s. 95.21(20(a)) requires that the owner of a dog that is 5 months of age have the dog vaccinated against rabies. The law allows for the owner of a new dog that is 5 months of age to have that dog vaccinated against rabies within 30 days of obtaining the dog. Consequently, shelters that have ownership of dogs 5 months and older for over 30 days are required to have the dogs vaccinated against rabies. If the dog is a surrender, the 30 days applies from the time of surrender. If the dog is a stray, the 30 days applies after the required 7 day holding period. Again, this is current law which has been in place for a very long time.
(2) Rabies vaccination required for dogs.
95.21(2)(a)(a)Requirement for vaccination. Except as provided in s. 174.054 or sub. (9) (d), the owner of a dog shall have the dog vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian or, if a veterinarian is physically present at the location the vaccine is administered, by a veterinary technician, pursuant to s. 453.05 (2) (d), at no later than 5 months of age and revaccinated within one year after the initial vaccination. If the owner obtains the dog or brings the dog into this state after the dog has reached 5 months of age, the owner shall have the dog vaccinated against rabies within 30 days after the dog is obtained or brought into the state unless the dog has been vaccinated as evidenced by a current certificate of rabies vaccination from this state or another state. The owner of a dog shall have the dog revaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian or, if a veterinarian is physically present at the location the vaccine is administered, by a veterinary technician, pursuant to s. 453.05 (2) (d), before the date that the immunization expires as stated on the certificate of vaccination or, if no date is specified, within 3 years after the previous vaccination.
Under the Dog Seller Program, the licensee is required to maintain health records related to the dog, including vaccination records. Also, the licensee is required to provide a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection to the purchaser/adopter that will list the rabies vaccination if given. The Dog Seller Program does not specifically require that a rabies vaccination be administered to each dog 5 months and older. However, a licensee is required to obey other relevant laws (ATCP s.16.10(2)).
(2) Denying, suspending or revoking a license.
ATCP 16.10(2)(a)(a) The department may deny a license application under s. ATCP 16.06 or suspend or revoke a license issued under s. ATCP 16.02 (1) if the applicant or license holder fails to comply with applicable licensing requirements; is not fit, qualified or equipped to conduct the activity for which the license is required; has violated or failed to obey a relevant law, order, or regulation; or has misrepresented or failed to disclose any material fact in a license application.
(Provided by Yvonne M Bellay, DVM, MS - Animal Welfare Programs Manager/Epidemiologist - DATCP)
(2) Rabies vaccination required for dogs.
95.21(2)(a)(a)Requirement for vaccination. Except as provided in s. 174.054 or sub. (9) (d), the owner of a dog shall have the dog vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian or, if a veterinarian is physically present at the location the vaccine is administered, by a veterinary technician, pursuant to s. 453.05 (2) (d), at no later than 5 months of age and revaccinated within one year after the initial vaccination. If the owner obtains the dog or brings the dog into this state after the dog has reached 5 months of age, the owner shall have the dog vaccinated against rabies within 30 days after the dog is obtained or brought into the state unless the dog has been vaccinated as evidenced by a current certificate of rabies vaccination from this state or another state. The owner of a dog shall have the dog revaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian or, if a veterinarian is physically present at the location the vaccine is administered, by a veterinary technician, pursuant to s. 453.05 (2) (d), before the date that the immunization expires as stated on the certificate of vaccination or, if no date is specified, within 3 years after the previous vaccination.
Under the Dog Seller Program, the licensee is required to maintain health records related to the dog, including vaccination records. Also, the licensee is required to provide a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection to the purchaser/adopter that will list the rabies vaccination if given. The Dog Seller Program does not specifically require that a rabies vaccination be administered to each dog 5 months and older. However, a licensee is required to obey other relevant laws (ATCP s.16.10(2)).
(2) Denying, suspending or revoking a license.
ATCP 16.10(2)(a)(a) The department may deny a license application under s. ATCP 16.06 or suspend or revoke a license issued under s. ATCP 16.02 (1) if the applicant or license holder fails to comply with applicable licensing requirements; is not fit, qualified or equipped to conduct the activity for which the license is required; has violated or failed to obey a relevant law, order, or regulation; or has misrepresented or failed to disclose any material fact in a license application.
(Provided by Yvonne M Bellay, DVM, MS - Animal Welfare Programs Manager/Epidemiologist - DATCP)
