N.Y. Public Health Law § 2141: Compulsory vaccination

§ 2141. Compulsory vaccination. 1. Every dog, cat and domesticated

ferret shall be actively immunized against rabies in accordance with

regulations promulgated by the commissioner. Every dog, cat and

domesticated ferret shall have all initial vaccinations administered no

later than four months after birth. Every dog, cat and domesticated

ferret shall have a second vaccination within one year of the first.

Terms of subsequent vaccine administration and duration of immunity must

be in compliance with USDA licenses of vaccines used. The veterinarian

immunizing or supervising any person authorized by law to immunize such

animal shall provide the owner with a certificate of immunization

consistent with the requirements of section one hundred nine of the

agriculture and markets law. The veterinarian immunizing or supervising

any person authorized by law to immunize such animal shall provide any

public health official with the certificate of immunization in any case

involving a dog, cat or domesticated ferret which has been or may have

been exposed to rabies or in any case of possible exposure of a person

or another animal to rabies.

2. Subdivision one of this section shall not apply to any feral animal

or any dog, cat or domesticated ferret:

(a) that is transported through the state and remains in the state

fifteen days or fewer;

(b) confined to the premises of an incorporated society devoted to the

care of lost, stray or homeless animals;

(c) for which vaccination against rabies would adversely affect the

animal's health, as determined by a licensed veterinarian; or

(d) confined for the purposes of research to the premises of a college

or other educational or research institution.

3. (a) Every veterinarian providing treatment to a dog, cat or

domesticated ferret shall verify, in accordance with standards

established by the commissioner, if such animal is actively immunized

against rabies or is exempt under subdivision two of this section. If

active immunization or exemption cannot be verified, the veterinarian

shall immunize the animal at the owner's request.

(b) If the animal is exempt from the provisions of subdivision one of

this section, pursuant to paragraph (c) of subdivision two of this

section, the veterinarian shall provide the owner of the dog, cat or

domesticated ferret with a certified statement verifying that the animal

is exempt from immunization because the immunization would adversely

affect the health of the animal, and verifying the nature and duration

of such exemption. The certified statement shall be in a form prescribed

by the commissioner and shall be consistent with the requirements of

section one hundred nine of the agriculture and markets law. Medical

exemptions are to be renewed on an annual basis.

4. The owning of a dog, cat or domesticated ferret by any person in

violation of subdivision one of this section shall constitute a

violation, and shall be subject to a fine not to exceed two hundred

dollars for each offense.