(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 veterinarian. The owner of the dog will receive a copy of the rabies vaccination certificate legibly signed by the veterinarian. The owner of the dog will be responsible for keeping a valid rabies vaccination certificate in his possession for inspection by an animal control officer, the Department of Agriculture or the Division of Public Health, if deemed necessary.

(2) Upon request by an animal welfare officer, the Department of Agriculture, or the Division of Public Health, all owners of kennels, excluding licensed boarding kennels, shall present immediately a valid rabies vaccination certificate, signed by a 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. If a dog is sold or traded, then the valid vaccination 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.

(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 veterinarian. The owner of the cat will be responsible for keeping a valid rabies vaccination certificate in his or her possession for inspection by an animal welfare officer, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the Department of Agriculture, or the Division of Public Health.

(c) Vaccination of ferrets. — Any person owning a ferret 6 months of age or older in this State shall have the ferret vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian. The owner of the ferret is responsible for keeping a valid rabies vaccination certificate in that owner’s possession for inspection by an animal welfare officer, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the Department of Agriculture, or the Division of Public Health.

(d) Duties of veterinarian. — (1) Each licensed veterinarian may select a rabies vaccine of his choice and use procedures for administering it consistent with the recommendations of the Veterinary Biologics Division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture which licenses that vaccine.

(2) A rabies vaccination certificate will be promptly issued to the owner of each dog or cat vaccinated against rabies. The veterinarian administering the vaccine shall complete the certificate specifying accurately the manufacturer’s specifications of the duration of immunity of the rabies vaccination used and the date the animal shall be revaccinated in accordance with the specific criteria of the Compendium or as mandated by Delaware state law. The veterinarian shall sign the certificate in a legible manner. The certificate shall also include the veterinarian’s address, telephone number and state license number. Veterinarians shall maintain copies of these certificates for a minimum of 12 months after the effective expiration date of the vaccination.

(e) Public antirabies clinics. — The Compendium will serve as a basis for the procedures and practices used in public antirabies clinics. The Department of Agriculture or the veterinarian selected to administer the vaccine at the public antirabies clinic will be consulted on the specific rabies vaccine or vaccines that shall be used at those clinics. All administrative procedures and personnel, excluding veterinary staffing, will be approved by the State Veterinarian. The responsible organization conducting the public antirabies clinic will be responsible for maintaining copies of these certificates for a minimum of 12 months after the effective expiration date of the vaccination.

(f) Penalty. — Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined $25. No penalty imposed by this section shall be suspended.

66 Del. Laws, c. 247, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 309, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 326, § 1; 78 Del. Laws, c. 323, § 1; 80 Del. Laws, c. 248, § 3.