Athens City Code

1. (1) It is unlawful for any person to own, keep, or harbor any dog or cat more than three months old which has not been vaccinated against rabies as set forth in T.C.A. §§ 68-8-107 and 68-8-108 and as required in this section. Only a vaccine that meets the standards prescribed by the United States Department of Agriculture for interstate sale shall be used.
2. (2) It shall be the duty of every owner to have his dog or cat vaccinated against rabies after the dog reaches three months of age, the cat six months of age. Regardless of the type of licensed vaccine used or the age of the animal at the time of the first (primary) vaccination, the animal shall be revaccinated one year later. Following the first two vaccinations, booster vaccinations will be due at either one- or three-year intervals in accordance with the approved duration of immunity of the specific vaccine used and the species vaccinated.
3. (3) The veterinarian making the vaccination shall collect his fee for the same from the owner of the dog or cat, shall issue a vaccination tag, and shall sign and issue certification bearing the owner's name and address, number of vaccination tag issued, date of vaccination, date the dog or cat should be revaccinated, description and sex of the dog or cat vaccinated, the type and lot number of vaccine administered. The certificate shall be prepared in triplicate; the original shall be given to the owner, the first copy filed in the office of the local health department, and the second copy retained by the person administering the vaccine. The certificate form shall be the same as prepared and distributed by the state department of public health.
4. (4) It is unlawful for any owner to own, keep, harbor or to permit to remain on or about the premises of such owner any dog/cat that does not wear a tag evidencing that the dog or cat has been vaccinated.

(Code 1972, § 3-201; Code 1995, § 10-201; Ord. No. 848, § 2, 7-21-1998)