[Snowy]

I know that the rabies vaccine for my dog and two cats lasts longer than a year, however, here in Occupied Pennsylvania, yearly rabies shots are the law. Apparently, if your animal bites or scratches someone and their shots are not up to date (once a year), the animal is to be euthanized and the head sent to Harrisburg for testing. It's infuriating what I have to spend at the vet for routine shots. The producers of the vaccines don't want to change the law, and neither do the vets - too much money pouring in. How do we get this changed?

[Phantom Lord]

Rabies shots every year? Here in NC puppies get a 1 year shot, and then after that they get a 3 year shot. So, my four year old Boxer has had 2 rabies shots so far. Time for another 3 year is coming up. And my other boxer will get another 3 year shot in August.

And they might even be getting one that is longer than a 3 year shot.

[mewzilla]

I will say that we recently encountered a vet who was upfront about this and advised against annual vaccination. And in some cases, like the FeLV shot, recommended against it if you have a single cat who never goes outdoors (though keeping in mind that this could pose a problem if one ever needed to board the animal). That vet has been the only vet we've seen who's been open about the issue.

I can tell you what might change things, though I hate to say it: lawsuits. And frankly, if the veterinary profession doesn't get its act together, I'd say they'd deserve them.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I know that the rabies vaccine for my dog and two cats lasts longer than a year, however, here in Occupied Pennsylvania, yearly rabies shots are the law..... How do we get this changed?

Print out this study and take it to your vet. E-mail it to your newpaper's medical and/or pet reporter and question the animal shelters and ask them what more you can do. I don't think they like putting down healthy but non compliant animals.

[agrace]

In the meantime, maybe you could save a little money. Do you have Petsmart stores in PA? Here in NJ, they have vaccine clinics on Sun afternoons that are a FRACTION of what vets charge for shots. I got complete shots for an Italian greyhound for under $40 - I think the total bill was 35 and change. The vet wanted to charge over 200 for the same.