D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, r. 24-901
Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024
Rule 24-901 - VACCINATION OF DOGS AND CATS AGAINST RABIES AND DISTEMPER901.1(a) Each person who owns, keeps, or has custody of a dog in the District of Columbia shall have that dog vaccinated against rabies and canine distemper by a licensed veterinarian before the dog is four (4) months old or within fifteen (15) days after the person becomes the owner, keeper, or custodian of the dog (if the dog has not previously been vaccinated), whichever is later. (b) Each person in the District of Columbia who owns, keeps, or has custody of a cat that is four (4) months old or older shall have that cat vaccinated against rabies and feline distemper by a licensed veterinarian before the cat is four (4) months old or within fifteen (15) days after the person becomes the owner, keeper, or custodian of the cat (if the cat has not previously been vaccinated), whichever is later.901.3 After receiving its initial vaccination for rabies and distemper, the dog or cat shall receive a booster for each vaccination twelve (12) months after the date of the initial vaccination and shall be vaccinated against rabies every three (3) years thereafter. 901.4 The rabies and distemper vaccines used for the vaccination under this section shall be of a strength and type approved by the Director. 901.5 Vaccination shall be done in either of the following ways: (a) At the expense of the District by veterinarians designated for that purpose; or(b) At the expense of the person owning, keeping, or having custody of the dog or cat by a private veterinarian.901.6 The Director shall conduct animal clinics on an annual basis where free vaccinations are provided to District licensed dogs and cats and to dogs and cats whose owners, keepers, or custodians are seeking to have the dog or cat licensed in the District. 901.9 The veterinarian administering the anti-rabies and distemper vaccines shall execute a certificate of vaccination and furnish the original to the owner or other person presenting the dog or cat for vaccination. The certificate shall be on a form prescribed by the Director. 901.10 The veterinarian administering the vaccine shall retain a copy or duplicate of the certificate. 901.11 A copy or duplicate of the certificate of vaccination shall be retained or electronically stored by the veterinarian until the later of: (1) at least one (1) year following the death of the animal, if the animal was still under the care of the veterinarian on the date of death; or (2) at least three (3) years after the date that the veterinarian is no longer providing care to the animal.901.12 Each veterinarian practicing in the District shall timely furnish to the Director any reports concerning dogs or cats vaccinated against rabies and distemper by the veterinarian that may be required by the Director. 901.13 Upon completion of a rabies vaccination, a veterinarian shall furnish a numbered vaccination tag to the owner or other person presenting the dog or cat for vaccination. 901.14 No veterinarian licensed to practice in the District shall issue a rabies vaccination certificate or vaccination tag for any dog or cat unless he or she has vaccinated the dog or cat against rabies. 901.15 Each person owning, keeping, or having custody of a dog or cat in the District shall affix the vaccination tag provided under § 901.13 to the collar or harness of the dog or cat. The owner shall keep the tag affixed to the dog's or cat's collar or harness. 901.16 No person owning, keeping, or having custody of a dog or cat in the District shall do either of the following: (a) Affix or permit to be affixed to the collar or harness of the dog or cat any tag other than a current license tag, vaccination tag, or owner's identification tag; or(b) Affix or permit to be affixed to the collar or harness of the dog or cat any vaccination tags not issued for that dog or cat.901.17 Except as provided otherwise in § 901.18, the owner, keeper, or other person having custody of a dog or cat that is brought into the District shall have that dog or cat vaccinated against rabies within fifteen (15) days after the arrival of the dog or cat in the District. 901.18 If a dog or cat brought into the District has already been vaccinated in the original jurisdiction in a manner in accordance with the provisions of this section and the owner, keeper, or other person having custody of the dog or cat has a valid vaccination certificate and tag issued by the veterinarian who performed the vaccination, the dog or cat shall not have to be vaccinated again until as otherwise required by this Chapter. 901.19 The Director shall have authority to require the following control measures when deemed necessary to control the spread of rabies in the District: D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 24, r. 24-901
Regulation No. 71-23, effective July 9, 1971; amended by Final Rulemaking published at 69 DCR 2162 (3/18/2022)