Animal Bites
Although the incidence of rabies in Oregon is very low, you are required by law to report any bite of a human by a rabies susceptible animal to your Local Public Health Authority (LPHA) within 24 hours of its occurrence. Phone numbers are provided at the end of this public health section. The LPHA will evaluate the situation and determine appropriate action.
Factors that determine how a bite incident is handled include, but are not limited to:
- Animal species
- Incidence of rabies in that species in that county
- Whether the biting animal has a current rabies vaccination (for dogs, cats, and ferrets)
- Whether the bite was provoked or unprovoked
- Whether the biting animal has been exposed to an animal suspected of having rabies or is itself suspected of having rabies.
If the LPHA determines no further action is required, your clients may ask about having an animal tested at their expense. Call the OSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at (541) 737-3261 for details about specimens required and costs involved.
For more details, call the Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division at (971) 673-1111, or check the Oregon Health Authority website at http://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/.
Rabies Vaccination
Except where specifically exempt, all dogs at least three months old must be immunized against rabies by the age of six months. The following are exempt:
- Dogs brought temporarily into the state for periods of less than 30 days and kept under strict supervision by their owners
- Dogs for which rabies immunization is contraindicated for health reasons, as determined by a licensed veterinarian subsequent to an examination
- Dogs that are owned by dealers, breeders, or exhibitors exclusively for sale or exhibition purposes and that are confined to kennels except for transportation under strict supervision to and from shows or fairs.
Vaccination of an animal against rabies is valid only when performed:
- By a licensed veterinarian
- By a veterinary technician (certified according to OAR 875-030-0010) under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian
- In the case of a need to vaccinate and the lack of an available veterinarian, by another person approved for this purpose by the State Public Health Veterinarian
To be considered immunized against rabies, dogs and cats must be vaccinated according to guidelines published in the compendium of animal rabies prevention and control.
A Rabies Vaccination Certificate shall be completed and signed by the person performing the vaccination. The original and one copy of the certificate shall be given to the dog's owner and one copy must be retained for the period for which the vaccination is in force. The certificate must include at least the following information:
- Owner's name and address
- Dog/cat's description by age, sex, color, breed
- Date of vaccination
- Due date for revaccination
- Type and lot number of vaccine used
- Name and address of vaccinator
Common Rabies Vaccination Questions
What age is first vaccination required? – Primary vaccination is recommended at 3 months but must be performed by 6 months of age. Vaccines are licensed for use in animals 3 months and older.
How long is the first rabies vaccine valid? The first vaccination is valid for one year, regardless of age at vaccination and regardless of vaccine used.
How long is the rabies “booster" vaccination valid? Booster vaccines are good for one or three years, depending on the type of vaccine used. Some states require annual vaccination regardless of vaccine used – call the state of destination if the animal will be traveling.
What if the rabies booster is overdue? For dogs, cats, and ferrets which have not been exposed to a rabid animal, they should be revaccinated with a single dose of vaccine and placed on an annual or triennial schedule depending on the type of vaccine used.
Dog Licensing
Oregon State Law (OAR 333-019-0019) requires that each dog be licensed by the local animal control agency in whose jurisdiction its owner resides. The original Rabies Vaccination Certificate must be presented to the County Clerk or designated animal control officer prior to a license being issued.
Upon receipt of applicable fees (if any), the local animal control agency will issue a serially numbered tag legibly identifying an expiration date that may not exceed the vaccine coverage expiration date by more than two months. The tag must be attached to a collar or harness that is worn by the dog at all times when off the premises of the owner. Local jurisdictions may enact more stringent licensing requirements.
Resources
Other Oregon Agency Resources