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Legislation Proposed By the
Florida Animal Control Association
for the 2005 Legislative Session - State of Florida
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Currently only a handful of Florida counties recognize the three year rabies vaccine for the full duration
of immunity and hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats are being required be vaccinated more frequently than necessary.
The current state rabies statute, 828.30,
fails to address revaccination. After the initial vaccination animals should receive a booster vaccination one
year later. The second vaccination will have duration of immunity of either one year or three years depending on
which vaccine is used.
The National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the
Florida Rabies Prevention and Control Committee, the Florida Veterinary Medical Association, and the Florida Animal
Control Association are in agreement that rabies vaccines should be recognized for the full duration of immunity.
Putting the requirement in the statute would greatly benefit animals by maximizing protection against rabies while
minimizing vaccine-associated risks. Pet owners would be delighted to see this legislation passed.
Check progress of this legislation: H0255
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Legislative relief is still needed to make mission essential controlled drugs available to animal shelters
which have no staff veterinarian. These agencies are already permitted by the Drug Enforcement Administration to
possess Schedule II and III controlled substances, but this conflicts with the current state statute which was
written very narrowly. The act would allow the Board of Veterinary Medicine to establish, by rule, the legend drugs
deemed essential for euthanasia and chemical immobilization and for which agencies can be permitted by the Board
of Pharmacy. The act would also standardize required training for humane officers and animal control officers.
This legislation is supported by the Boards of Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine, FACA, FVMA, and HSUSSERO.
The existing statute has minor problems in the appeal process which need to be corrected. The statute provides
for an appeal to county court which may be flawed since county courts are not vested with appellate jurisdiction
and only the Supreme Court can confer jurisdiction. By amending the statute to allow local governments to determine
whether the evidentiary hearing is held in county court or in an administrative hearing, the local governments
can best serve the needs of their citizens. To date several appeals in the state have lasted for years with the
owners refusing to pay ongoing cost for upkeep of their dogs leaving the counties to absorb the costs. A tougher
penalty is proposed for owners who fail to pay required fees during the appeals process.
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Legislative sponsors are needed.
If your local legislator can help contact:
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