Rancho Cordova Municipal Code Ch. 8.05 Rabies

Every dog and cat shall have a medically current vaccination with an anti-rabies vaccine approved by the Health Department of the state. The vaccination shall be administered by a veterinarian or as provided through city-recognized clinics, and a certificate of vaccination shall be issued to the owner.

A. The certificate of rabies vaccination which accompanies the license application shall be valid if in compliance with the following immunization conditions:

1. Primary Immunization. Primary immunization shall be defined as the initial inoculation of an approved rabies vaccine administered to dogs and cats aged three months or older.

2. Minimum Age for Rabies Vaccination. The minimum age for which rabies immunization of dogs and cats shall be accepted for purposes of dog/cat-owner compliance with requirements for rabies vaccination and for purposes of issuance of dog or cat licenses is three months.

3. Revaccination Intervals. Dogs and cats shall be revaccinated one year (12 months) after the primary immunization with an approved type of rabies vaccine. Dogs and cats shall be revaccinated thereafter at least once every three years (36 months) with an approved rabies vaccine.

B. If the licensed veterinarian or other authorized professional administering the vaccination is located within the city of Rancho Cordova, a copy of the certificate must be delivered to the animal services manager within 30 days of administering the rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccination certificate must include all information required by state law, as may be amended, including:

1. The owner's full name, address, and telephone number;

2. The breed, age, sex, and color of the animal;

3. The date of immunization;

4. The type of vaccine administered;

5. The name of the vaccine manufacturer;

6. The lot number of the vaccine used; and

7. The signature of the veterinarian administering the vaccination or his or her agent.

C. In accordance with remaining in compliance with city's licensing code, RCMC § 8.06.030(A), owners of pets who received the rabies vaccine outside the city of Rancho Cordova, or through city registered "travel rabies clinics," must provide a certificate of rabies vaccination to the animal services manager of the city of Rancho Cordova within 30 days of administering the rabies vaccination.

D. Exemption. In accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 121690, if a licensed veterinarian has recommended a pet should not receive a rabies vaccination for medical reasons, the animal shall remain quarantined pursuant to RCMC § 8.05.050(A), and animal services' internal policy. Quarantined decisions are in the sole discretion of animal services officials.

(Ord. 4-2007 § 2; Ord. 3-2025 § 1)

Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, no dog or cat need be vaccinated for rabies where a licensed veterinarian has certified that the vaccination would endanger the dog or cat's health, and the health officer endorses on the certificate his approval. The certificate must bear the date of issuance and must be renewed each year.

(Ord. 4-2007 § 2)

Any person, or parent or guardian of such person, or an owner of an animal bitten or scratched by an animal of a species subject to rabies shall immediately report such incident to the animal service officer.

(Ord. 4-2007 § 2)

Every veterinarian and every person providing professional medical treatment for an animal bite by an animal of a species subject to rabies shall immediately notify animal services whenever rabies is suspected.

(Ord. 4-2007 § 2)

A. The animal services officer shall assure that all animals falling into the following categories are isolated or quarantined at the place and under the conditions prescribed by the health officer and pertinent state laws and regulations:

1. Known rabid animals;

2. Suspected rabid animals;

3. Animals that have bitten a human or otherwise exposed a human to rabies;

4. Animals of a species subject to rabies, which have been bitten by a known rabid or suspected rabid animal or have come in close contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal.

B. It is unlawful for the owner or keeper of an animal to violate any of the conditions of isolation or quarantine prescribed by the health officer.

(Ord. 4-2007 § 2)

Upon the death of any rabid animal, clinically suspected rabid animal, or animal which has bitten or otherwise exposed a human to rabies, the animal services officer shall obtain and turn over to the health officer the carcass of such animal or an adequate specimen thereof.

(Ord. 4-2007 § 2)