Pets and Vaccination

Pets and Vaccination In Broward County

Most pet owners don't give a second thought to vaccinating their pet. But few are aware or bother to find out about the dangers to your pet from vaccination, until it's too late.

We learned the hard way that a vaccine reaction can take the life of your pet.

Hours after being given a dose of rabies vaccine, our pet became lethargic, and did not want to eat, drink, or move. After calling an after-hours animal clinic, we were assured that that was normal. When we checked her again a couple hours later, there was a mass of chewed, gooey grass that had been up-chucked, laying next to her. We called again, and again we were told that was ok.

The following morning, in the light of the sun, we could see that our pet was trembling involuntarily, and her face was swollen. We started calling around, looking for a babysitter, but the twitching and shaking started decreasing slightly.

She would still would not even lift her head, and this time we called a different animal hospital, and were told that these were symptoms of a severe reaction to the rabies vaccine, and we should have brought our pet in the night before.

We carried her into the shade and for the first time she lifted her head. It had now been almost 24 hours since her visit to the vet, and we had almost killed our pet by giving her this vaccination. A similar, but not so severe reaction happened two years previously, and I had held off vaccinating her because of that. Now there was no doubt that this was definitely a reaction caused by vaccination, and that the reactions were getting worse as our pet aged.

In looking up the laws, we found that Broward County Ordinances states that according to section 4-11 (c), a license must be renewed every year.

Sec. 4-11. Licensing of dogs and cats.

(a)    Any person who owns or keeps in Broward County a dog or cat two (2) months of age or older shall have such dog or cat licensed by and in Broward County. The Animal Care and Regulation Division shall provide suitable adult and juvenile dog and cat license tags for sale through authorized representatives. Adult and juvenile license tags may be obtained from the Animal Care and Regulation Division or an authorized representative. No person shall be issued a juvenile tag for any animal over four (4) months of age. A separate license tag shall be issued for each dog or cat, and a license tag issued for one dog or cat is not valid for any other dog or cat.

(1)    A license for a juvenile animal shall consist of a rabies certificate and a juvenile license tag for the juvenile animal's collar or harness. Every person or entity that obtains a juvenile dog or cat license tag as required by this section shall have the dog or cat vaccinated against rabies by the age of four (4) months.

(2)    A license for an adult animal shall consist of a rabies vaccination certificate and a rabies vaccination and license tag for the animal's collar or harness.

(b)    Any nonresident who brings a dog or cat two (2) months of age or older into Broward County with the intent to reside within the county permanently, or temporarily for a period of at least three (3) months, shall have such dog or cat licensed by and in Broward County within thirty (30) days of arrival.

(c)    The license required by this section shall be renewed annually by the person owning the dog or cat after said dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies or exempt from such vaccination under the terms of this chapter.

(d)    The juvenile license tag required by this section shall expire twelve (12) months from the date the owner obtains a rabies vaccination provided the animal receives the rabies vaccination by the time it is four (4) months old. Failure to obtain a rabies vaccination by four (4) months of age will void the juvenile tag. In such cases the owner must obtain an adult license tag. After the initial twelve (12) month period, all owners of dogs and cats with juvenile license tags must comply with the adult license tag requirements. A pet owner who fails to purchase an adult license tag upon expiration of the juvenile tag is subject to citation for violation of Section 4-11. A late renewal penalty as set by resolution will be imposed if the adult tag is not purchased within thirty (30) calendar days of the expiration of the juvenile license tag.

(e)    The director shall design the rabies certificate and license tag, and shall issue these to licensed veterinarians and authorized representatives.

(f)    The board of county commissioners shall establish by resolution the fees to be charged for licensing. This may include discount fees for sterilized dogs and/or cats. Such discount will be allowed only upon presentation of a certificate of sterilization or of the dog's or cat's inability to reproduce, signed by a veterinarian licensed in any state, or upon presentation of proof of prior issuance of a license for the dog or cat at a similarly discounted fee. No license tag fees shall be collected from individuals with disabilities for service animals. The Division shall provide free license tags to all individuals with disabilities for animals that the Division has recognized as official service animals. The Division Director shall establish the guidelines for approving and denying free license tags.

(g)    In the event a license tag distributed under the provisions of this section is lost, stolen or destroyed, a replacement license tag shall be distributed by the director or his or her designee upon presentation of the corresponding rabies certificate and payment of the appropriate fee.

(h)    The Broward County adult or juvenile license tag required by this section shall be worn by the dog or cat at all times, subject to the exceptions in this subsection. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to remove the license tag of any licensed dog or cat within Broward County except:

(1)    When the dog or cat is participating in an organized exhibition, field trial or competition, or is in training for these events, or is engaged in a legal sport under supervision of its owner, or is undergoing grooming; or

(2)    When the dog or cat is confined in a licensed kennel, grooming facility or a veterinary hospital, in which case the license tag number shall be recorded and readily identifiable with the dog or cat to which it belongs; if the animal is not licensed, the facility shall clearly indicate such on its records; or

(3)    When a licensed veterinarian orders in writing that the license tag, collar or harness be removed for the dog's or cat's health, in which case the dog or cat shall be confined in a building, kennel or secure enclosure until the veterinarian permits the collar, harness or tag to be placed on the dog or cat.

(i)    It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to use or possess a stolen, counterfeit or forged license tag, rabies vaccination certificate, or any other documentation required by or issued pursuant to this section.

(Ord. No. 87-21, § 1, 5-12-87; Ord. No. 95-42, § 8, 10-24-95; Ord. No. 1998-41, § 5, 11-10-98; Ord. No. 2001-56, § 2, 11-13-01)

Broward County Ordinance, section 4-10 (b) (2) allows for exceptions:

"If a licensed veterinarian certifies in writing that a vaccination would be injurious to the animal's health. However, such animal shall be vaccinated against rabies as soon as its health permits, and shall wear a tag as required in this chapter [see section 4-11]. "

But Broward County Ordinance, section 4-11 (a) (2) contradicts the above exception by stating:

"A license for an adult animal shall consist of a rabies vaccination certificate and a rabies vaccination and license tag for the animal's collar or harness."

According to these contradictions, there is no legal way under Broward County Ordinance to obtain a license for a sick animal, who cannot be vaccinated due to severe allergic reaction, or an 18 year old dog in poor health, because there can be no expectation of vaccination to fulfill "such animal shall be vaccinated against rabies as soon as health permits, and shall wear a tag as required by this chapter."

BUT, IT IS A 3RD DEGREE FELONY ACCORDING TO FLORIDA STATE STATUTE 828.12, FOR US TO KNOWINGLY VACCINATE ANIMALS WE KNOW WILL SUFFER A SEVERE REACTION, AND POSSIBLY DIE, DUE TO OUR ACTION OF VACCINATING THE ANIMAL.

The 2003 Florida Statutes

Title XLVI
CRIMES Chapter 828
ANIMALS: CRUELTY; SALES; ANIMAL ENTERPRISE PROTECTION View Entire Chapter

828.12 Cruelty to animals.--

(1)  A person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.
(2)  A person who intentionally commits an act to any animal which results in the cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering, or causes the same to be done, is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.

(a)  A person convicted of a violation of this subsection, where the finder of fact determines that the violation includes the knowing and intentional torture or torment of an animal that injures, mutilates, or kills the animal, shall be ordered to pay a minimum mandatory fine of $2,500 and undergo psychological counseling or complete an anger management treatment program.

Sec. 4-10. Rabies vaccination required for dogs and cats.

(a)    Any person who owns or keeps a dog or cat four (4) months of age or older shall have such dog or cat vaccinated annually against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Evidence of such vaccination shall consist of a Broward County-issued rabies certificate signed by the veterinarian administering the vaccine and containing pertinent data for identification of the animal. The veterinarian administering the vaccine shall retain one (1) copy of the certificate, and shall give one (1) copy to the owner and one (1) copy to the director.

(b)    Vaccination is excused where:

(1)    The owner or keeper can prove that the dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies within the past twelve (12) months by a veterinarian licensed to practice in any state; or

(2)    If a licensed veterinarian certifies in writing that a vaccination would be injurious to the animal's health. However, such animal shall be vaccinated against rabies as soon as its health permits, and shall wear a tag as required in this chapter [see section 4-11].

(c)    The cost of a rabies vaccination required by this section shall be the responsibility of the person owning the animal.

(Ord. No. 87-21, § 1, 5-12-87; Ord. No. 88-76, § 1, 11-8-88; Ord. No. 95-42, § 7, 10-24-95)



		(a) Any person who owns or keeps in Broward County a dog or cat two (2) months of age or older shall have such dog or cat licensed by and in Broward County. The Animal Care and Regulation Division shall provide suitable adult and juvenile dog and cat license tags for sale through authorized representatives. Adult and juvenile license tags may be obtained from the Animal Care and Regulation Division or an authorized representative. No person shall be issued a juvenile tag for any animal over four (4) months of age. A separate license tag shall be issued for each dog or cat, and a license tag issued for one dog or cat is not valid for any other dog or cat.



		(1) A license for a juvenile animal shall consist of a rabies certificate and a juvenile license tag for the juvenile animal's collar or harness. Every person or entity that obtains a juvenile dog or cat license tag as required by this section shall have the dog or cat vaccinated against rabies by the age of four (4) months.



		(2) A license for an adult animal shall consist of a rabies vaccination certificate and a rabies vaccination and license tag for the animal's collar or harness.



		(b) Any nonresident who brings a dog or cat two (2) months of age or older into Broward County with the intent to reside within the county permanently, or temporarily for a period of at least three (3) months, shall have such dog or cat licensed by and in Broward County within thirty (30) days of arrival.



		(c) The license required by this section shall be renewed annually by the person owning the dog or cat after said dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies or exempt from such vaccination under the terms of this chapter.



		(d) The juvenile license tag required by this section shall expire twelve (12) months from the date the owner obtains a rabies vaccination provided the animal receives the rabies vaccination by the time it is four (4) months old. Failure to obtain a rabies vaccination by four (4) months of age will void the juvenile tag. In such cases the owner must obtain an adult license tag. After the initial twelve (12) month period, all owners of dogs and cats with juvenile license tags must comply with the adult license tag requirements. A pet owner who fails to purchase an adult license tag upon expiration of the juvenile tag is subject to citation for violation of Section 4-11. A late renewal penalty as set by resolution will be imposed if the adult tag is not purchased within thirty (30) calendar days of the expiration of the juvenile license tag.



		(e) The director shall design the rabies certificate and license tag, and shall issue these to licensed veterinarians and authorized representatives.



		(f) The board of county commissioners shall establish by resolution the fees to be charged for licensing. This may include discount fees for sterilized dogs and/or cats. Such discount will be allowed only upon presentation of a certificate of sterilization or of the dog's or cat's inability to reproduce, signed by a veterinarian licensed in any state, or upon presentation of proof of prior issuance of a license for the dog or cat at a similarly discounted fee. No license tag fees shall be collected from individuals with disabilities for service animals. The Division shall provide free license tags to all individuals with disabilities for animals that the Division has recognized as official service animals. The Division Director shall establish the guidelines for approving and denying free license tags.



		(g) In the event a license tag distributed under the provisions of this section is lost, stolen or destroyed, a replacement license tag shall be distributed by the director or his or her designee upon presentation of the corresponding rabies certificate and payment of the appropriate fee.



		(h) The Broward County adult or juvenile license tag required by this section shall be worn by the dog or cat at all times, subject to the exceptions in this subsection. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to remove the license tag of any licensed dog or cat within Broward County except:



		(1) When the dog or cat is participating in an organized exhibition, field trial or competition, or is in training for these events, or is engaged in a legal sport under supervision of its owner, or is undergoing grooming; or



		(2) When the dog or cat is confined in a licensed kennel, grooming facility or a veterinary hospital, in which case the license tag number shall be recorded and readily identifiable with the dog or cat to which it belongs; if the animal is not licensed, the facility shall clearly indicate such on its records; or



		(3) When a licensed veterinarian orders in writing that the license tag, collar or harness be removed for the dog's or cat's health, in which case the dog or cat shall be confined in a building, kennel or secure enclosure until the veterinarian permits the collar, harness or tag to be placed on the dog or cat.



		(i) It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to use or possess a stolen, counterfeit or forged license tag, rabies vaccination certificate, or any other documentation required by or issued pursuant to this section.



		(Ord. No. 87-21, § 1, 5-12-87; Ord. No. 95-42, § 8, 10-24-95; Ord. No. 1998-41, § 5, 11-10-98; Ord. No. 2001-56, § 2, 11-13-01)

Sec. 4-10. Rabies vaccination required for dogs and cats.



		(a) Any person who owns or keeps a dog or cat four (4) months of age or older shall have such dog or cat vaccinated annually against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Evidence of such vaccination shall consist of a Broward County-issued rabies certificate signed by the veterinarian administering the vaccine and containing pertinent data for identification of the animal. The veterinarian administering the vaccine shall retain one (1) copy of the certificate, and shall give one (1) copy to the owner and one (1) copy to the director.



		(1) The owner or keeper can prove that the dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies within the past twelve (12) months by a veterinarian licensed to practice in any state; or



		(2) If a licensed veterinarian certifies in writing that a vaccination would be injurious to the animal's health. However, such animal shall be vaccinated against rabies as soon as its health permits, and shall wear a tag as required in this chapter [see section 4-11].



		(c) The cost of a rabies vaccination required by this section shall be the responsibility of the person owning the animal.