What's the Law?

In the state of Massachussets, dogs need to be vaccinated for rabies at 6 months or older by vet. And ONLY if the vet certifies that he/she is vaccinating a healthy animal. No other vaccinations are required by law.

Why?

Well, it could be that the Department of Public Health is quite concerned about rabies because it poses a threat to people. Understandable. And yet detremental to our animals. Luckily, in Massachussets, the law also says after the first annual "booster" of rabies, your dog only has to get it every three years. Funny thing about that label on the vaccine. It's just a label. Cuz in fact, the contents of the 1 year rabies shot is the same as the 3 year rabies shot! Other states say, every year, some say every two years. And they all have the same bottle! Other countries say never again. Again, same bottle. Vaccine companies love Americans.

Why the descrepancy?

These seemingly artibrary spans of time at driven again, by fear. Once you own a pet, you start receiving these friendly reminder post cards in the mail. "Time for your annual check up and vaccinations!" The more we vaccinate the safer we are from rabies right? Actually, no.

Vaccines do not save us from disease. Strong immunity and a little common sense saves us. Many vets will agree with you that once your pet develops immunity, whether by exposure or by vaccination, immunity lasts several years. In fact, Dr. Jean Dodds is currently running a rabies challenge study to prove that dogs continue to demonstrate immunity for up to seven years. Dogs develop immunity just like we develop immunity to measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc. We develop antibodies and the memory cells in our body store the information for each disease. And when the front lines of defense sense the disease, the memory cells put our troops in line, ready to protect. Our own bodies are what protects us from disease. Those of us with stronger immune systems never catch anything. And yet we often hear that people get chicken pox even after they've already gotten it. Every person, every animal, every dog, starts with a different level of natural immunity. Some people just get sick often, at everything that walks within 10 feet of them. And there are those of use that never get sick until someone actually sneezes right into their face. Dogs too. Some dogs seem to handle disease and even vaccinations better than others.

So not only do vaccine boosters seem unnecessary, but they are causing harm to our animals. Animals are developing tumors at injection sites, developing a slew of skin allergies, and like my Riley, behavioral changes occur. Riley's immune system reacted very strongly to all his vaccinations. They put his immune system into hyperactivity mode and every little thing he was exposed to created a huge response. A little bug bite resulted in a swollen face. A little flea bite results in whole body itching and chewing of his legs. Even a sutble sound in the air would cause him to cower and run for cover. A change in his food would cause severe diarrhea. We have been battling these problems since he was 4 months old. Luckily, we were able to find ways to reverse some of this damage. Most people meet Riley now and think he just a little shy. I know the long road we have traveled just to get him to this point. But he is now the healthiest he has been since we've had him.

How about the common sense part?

Where do your pets go? Do your cats stay indoors? What is the likely hood that a rabid bat is going to fly into your home and stop long enough to chase down a cat and bite it?

Do you leave your dogs out in your yard unsupervised? Do you go to other states that require proof of vaccinations?

Do you know when was the last time a rabid animal was reported in your area? Do you know what a rabid animal looks like?

If you are traveling, it is always a good idea to know the laws of the other state. Knowledge is power and it will protect you. If your dog ever bites someone or gets bitten, you need to know what to do to protect your dog.

Know the law, know your rights, protect your family!