At Seattle Veterinary Associates (SVA), we are committed to providing the highest level of care for both your pets and the community as a whole. That’s why we take the Washington State guidelines on the Rabies Vaccine very seriously. We understand that this vaccine is not only important for the health of your pets, but also for the safety of the humans and animals around them.
Washington State law, WAC 246-100-197, says: “An owner of a dog, cat, or ferret shall have it vaccinated against rabies and revaccinated following veterinary and vaccine manufacturer instructions. An ‘owner’ is any person legally responsible for the care and actions of a pet animal.” You can read more about the requirements here: Rabies Vaccination Requirements for Pets | Washington State Department of Health
We pride ourselves on our fear free practices and looking at the visit from your pet’s point of view, trying to reduce fear at the vet as much as possible. But at the end of the day bites happen in the field of veterinary medicine. Studies have found that 83% of people in this field have experienced pet bites. To ensure the safety of our team and all those who visit our practice, we encourage all pet owners to adhere to the Washington State guidelines on the Rabies Vaccine. While we understand there may be certain circumstances where vaccination is not possible or appropriate for your pet, we believe it is an important measure to protect both animal and human health.
If your pet is overdue for the Rabies Vaccine and you would like to schedule an appointment to update this, please follow the link below to request an appointment. If your pet is not current on their rabies vaccination, we will discuss this with you during your next visit.
You can check your pet’s rabies vaccine reminder status by visiting the pet portal associated with your home practice. You can find the link in the menu on the top left of our website.
Thank you for choosing Seattle Veterinary Associates as your trusted partner in your pets’ health and well-being. We look forward to continuing to serve you and your furry family members.