DELAWARE STATE SENATE

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 228

AS AMENDED BY

SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 3 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO VETERINARY TECHNICIANS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 82, Title 3 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 8204. Rabies vaccination required for dogs, cats, and ferrets; antirabies clinics.

(a) Vaccination of dogs. — (1) Any person owning a dog 6 months of age or older in this State shall have that dog vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian , or by a licensed veterinary technician working under the indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian and the dog is in a shelter and is owned by the shelter ; exemption from vaccination against rabies may be permitted if a licensed veterinarian has examined the animal and based on the veterinarian’s professional judgment, has certified in writing that at the time, vaccination would endanger the animal’s health because of its infirmity, disability, illness, or other medical considerations and a titer test, in the case of these medical exemptions, may be administered to assist in determining the need for the vaccination. The owner of the dog will receive a copy of the rabies vaccination certificate legibly signed by the licensed veterinarian and the licensed veterinary technician responsible for the administration of the vaccine . The owner of the dog will be responsible for keeping a valid rabies vaccination certificate or exemption certificate in their possession for inspection by an animal control officer, the Department, or the Division, if deemed necessary. Certification that the animal is exempt from vaccination shall be valid for a period of 1 year from the date of the issuance of the certificate of exemption, after which time the animal shall be re-examined by a licensed veterinarian and vaccinated against rabies or a new certificate of exemption shall be issued to the animal’s owner.

(2) Upon request by an animal welfare officer, the Department, or the Division, all owners of kennels, excluding licensed boarding kennels, shall present immediately a valid rabies vaccination certificate or exemption certificate, signed by a licensed veterinarian, for each dog 6 months of age or older owned by the kennel. Kennel owners will be specifically responsible for keeping all vaccination certificates for all dogs owned or kept at their premise until at least 12 months after the effective expiration date of the vaccination or exemption. If a dog is sold or traded, then the valid vaccination certificate or exemption certificate shall be given to the new owner of the dog. If no valid certificate is given to the new owner, the new owner shall have the dog vaccinated and be issued a valid vaccination certificate or examined and be issued an exemption certificate. Certification that the animal is exempt from vaccination shall be valid for a period of 1 year from the date of the issuance of the certificate

(b) Vaccination of cats. — Any person owning a cat 6 months of age or older in this State shall have the cat vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian , or by a licensed veterinary technician working under the indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian and the cat is in a shelter and is owned by the shelter ; exemption from vaccination against rabies may be permitted if a licensed veterinarian has examined the animal and based on the veterinarian’s professional judgment has certified in writing that at the time, vaccination would endanger the animal’s health because of its infirmity, disability, illness, or other medical considerations and a titer test, in the case of these medical exemptions, may be administered to assist in determining the need for the vaccination. The owner of the cat will receive a copy of the rabies vaccination certificate legibly signed by the licensed veterinarian and the licensed veterinary technician responsible for the administration of the vaccine . The owner of the cat will be responsible for keeping a valid rabies vaccination certificate or exemption certificate in their possession for inspection by an animal welfare officer, the Department, or the Division. Certification that the animal is exempt from vaccination shall be valid for a period of 1 year from the date of the issuance of the certificate of exemption, after which time the animal shall be re-examined by a licensed veterinarian and vaccinated against rabies or a new certificate of exemption shall be issued to the animal’s owner.