HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1614        FILED ON: 1/17/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1876

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Todd M. Smola

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An act relative to standardizing rabies vaccination certificates.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1614        FILED ON: 1/17/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1876

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3294 OF 2011-2012.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

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An act relative to standardizing rabies vaccination certificates.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Section 145B of chapter 140 of the general laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

Whoever is the owner or keeper of a dog or cat in the commonwealth six months of age or older shall cause such dog or cat to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian using a licensed vaccine according to the manufacturer's directions, and shall cause such dog or cat to be revaccinated at intervals recommended by the manufacturer. Unvaccinated dogs and cats acquired or moved into the commonwealth shall be vaccinated within 90 days after the acquisition or arrival into the commonwealth or upon reaching the age of 6 months, whichever last occurs. It shall be the duty of each veterinarian, at the time of vaccinating any dog or cat, to complete a certificate of rabies vaccination which shall include, but not be limited to the following information: the owner's name and address; a description of the animal, including breed, sex, date of birth, name and distinctive markings; the date of vaccination; the rabies vaccination tag number; the type of rabies vaccine used; the route of vaccination; the expiration date of the vaccine; and the vaccine lot number.  Distribution of copies of the certificate shall be: the original to the owner, 1 copy retained by the issuing veterinarian and, within 14 days of the vaccination, 1 copy to the town or city clerk where the dog or cat is kept. All rabies certificates shall be in the following form and shall be printed in at least 12 point type on 8 ½ by 11 inches sheets of non-carbon issued paper:

CERTIFICATE OF RABIES VACCINATION

NAME OF PROVIDER/CLINIC NAME_________________________________

ADDRESS_________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE NUMBER______________________________________________

FAX NUMBER______________________________________________________

Name of owner: ______________________________________________

Residence of Owner: ______________________________________________

Street/Road _____________________________________________

City/Town ______________________________________________ MA

Mailing address if different from residence: ________________________

______________________________________________________________ 

Telephone number________________________________     

2nd contact number (optional) _______________________________

Name of Dog or Cat __________________________________

Breed ________________________________________

Sex: Male _______    Female _______ Neutered _______   Spayed ___________

Date of Neutering/Spaying (if known) ________________________

Color: _______________________________________

Date of Birth (not age of animal) ________________________________

Date of Vaccination ____________________ Date of Expiration _________________

Vaccine is One Year ________ Three Year __________

Rabies Tag # ______________

Provider Signature: _______________________________________________

If dog is not able to receive a Rabies Vaccination due to age, illness or other reason please specify here to insure owner may procure the mandated license:

Per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140 Section 137, all dogs must be licensed at six (6) months of age. (This statement must be in bold print).

SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect on January 1, 2012.