Question: Rabies Laws: What Age Should Puppies Get Rabies Vaccination?

Each state makes its own rabies laws as to when you should vaccinate your dog for rabies. Refer to these quick lists for the timing in your state for puppy rabies vaccinations.

Answer:

These twelve states have three-month laws/regulations: Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania.

These fourteen states have four-month laws/regulations: Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia.

Wisconsin is the only state that has five-month laws/regulations.

Six states have six-month laws/regulations: Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Tennessee, West Virginia.

Another 13 states refer to the Rabies Compendium: Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington State, Wyoming.

Hawaii does not require one because they have never had a case of rabies, since as an island the state can control who enters more so than the contiguous United States.

Kansas leaves it up to the municipalities. So does Ohio, but requires imported dogs to be vaccinated according to the Rabies Compendium. The Rabies Compendium is a summary or guidelines that serve as a basis for animal rabies prevention and control programs throughout the United States.

FAQ provided by Caryl Wolff, a Los Angeles-based dog trainer and dog behavior consultant certified through IAABC, NADOI and CPDT and other canine professional organizations. She can be reached through her www.DoggieManners.com site.