New year, new law.
Beginning Jan. 1, Washington state law will require that all pet dogs, cats and ferrets be current on their rabies vaccinations. The rule aims to reduce the number of rabies exposures in the state.
Many cities and counties require rabies vaccinations but the state has never mandated the vaccines.
Clark County already requires rabies vaccines for all cats and dogs but not does currently mandate them for ferrets.
Rabies is one of the oldest and most deadly diseases. Every year in Washington, several hundred people have to get the series of rabies shots due to possible exposure to the virus.
In Washington, bats are the primary source of rabies. Pet encounters with sick bats are one of the primary ways pets are exposed. Nationwide, cats are the most commonly affected domestic animal.
