§ 2141. Compulsory vaccination. 1. Every dog, cat and domesticated
ferret shall be actively immunized against rabies in accordance with
regulations promulgated by the commissioner. Every dog, cat and
domesticated ferret shall have all initial vaccinations administered no
later than four months after birth. Every dog, cat and domesticated
ferret shall have a second vaccination within one year of the first.
Terms of subsequent vaccine administration and duration of immunity must
be in compliance with USDA licenses of vaccines used. The veterinarian
immunizing or supervising any person authorized by law to immunize such
animal shall provide the owner with a certificate of immunization
consistent with the requirements of section one hundred nine of the
agriculture and markets law. The veterinarian immunizing or supervising
any person authorized by law to immunize such animal shall provide any
public health official with the certificate of immunization in any case
involving a dog, cat or domesticated ferret which has been or may have
been exposed to rabies or in any case of possible exposure of a person
or another animal to rabies.

2. Subdivision one of this section shall not apply to any feral animal
or any dog, cat or domesticated ferret:

(a) that is transported through the state and remains in the state
fifteen days or fewer;

(b) confined to the premises of an incorporated society devoted to the
care of lost, stray or homeless animals;

(c) for which vaccination against rabies would adversely affect the
animal's health, as determined by a licensed veterinarian; or

(d) confined for the purposes of research to the premises of a college
or other educational or research institution.

3. (a) Every veterinarian providing treatment to a dog, cat or
domesticated ferret shall verify, in accordance with standards
established by the commissioner, if such animal is actively immunized
against rabies or is exempt under subdivision two of this section. If
active immunization or exemption cannot be verified, the veterinarian
shall immunize the animal at the owner's request.

(b) If the animal is exempt from the provisions of subdivision one of
this section, pursuant to paragraph (c) of subdivision two of this
section, the veterinarian shall provide the owner of the dog, cat or
domesticated ferret with a certified statement verifying that the animal
is exempt from immunization because the immunization would adversely
affect the health of the animal, and verifying the nature and duration
of such exemption. The certified statement shall be in a form prescribed
by the commissioner and shall be consistent with the requirements of
section one hundred nine of the agriculture and markets law. Medical
exemptions are to be renewed on an annual basis.

4. The owning of a dog, cat or domesticated ferret by any person in
violation of subdivision one of this section shall constitute a
violation, and shall be subject to a fine not to exceed two hundred
dollars for each offense.