Do all states require rabies vaccination for dogs?

Most states require rabies vaccination for dogs, but age thresholds, booster schedules, and local enforcement can differ. Always verify county-level rules before travel or relocation.

How quickly must an animal bite be reported?

Many jurisdictions require reporting within 24 hours, but timelines can vary. Prompt reporting helps public health teams assess risk and initiate quarantine or testing procedures.

Where can I get immediate help after exposure?

Use emergency bite-response guidance first, then locate nearby treatment using clinic finder. Start wound washing immediately and seek medical care without delay.

US Rabies Laws by State

Find rabies vaccination requirements, reporting deadlines, and quarantine rules for every state. Use the quick index below to jump directly to your state.

Overview

Each US state updates rabies laws to reflect local public health needs. Most require:

Vaccinating dogs (and often cats/ferrets) by 3–4 months of age
Maintaining up-to-date boosters according to vaccine labels
Reporting animal bites to local health authorities within 24 hours
Observing biting animals for 10 days or submitting them for rabies testing

Tip: Always confirm requirements with your local health department—municipal bylaws can be stricter than statewide rules.

Pair legal checks with our vaccine blog guides, risk assessment tool, and clinic finder for faster post-exposure action.

Illinois readers can jump directly to Illinois rabies law details, including the practical dog bite law in Illinois workflow.

City rabies law guides

Municipal codes often add stricter licensing fees, registration deadlines, and bite-reporting rules on top of state law. Jump straight to a city for ordinance citations, animal-control contacts, and licensing details.

Rabies laws in Chicago

Illinois — ordinance, licensing, animal control →

Rabies laws in Houston

Texas — ordinance, licensing, animal control →

Rabies laws in Los Angeles

California — ordinance, licensing, animal control →

Rabies laws in New York City

New York — ordinance, licensing, animal control →

Rabies laws in Phoenix

Arizona — ordinance, licensing, animal control →

Quick reference: vaccination requirements by state

Initial vaccination age, required species, and the revaccination cadence Google and AI Overviews are often asked to compare. Tap a state for the full law page.

State	Required species	First vaccine	Revaccination cadence
Alabama	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	First rabies vaccine at 3 months; revaccinate per product license interval (commonly 1-year then 3-year products).
Alaska	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months of initial; then per vaccine label (1 or 3 years).
Arizona	Dogs	12 weeks	Dogs are vaccinated at 3 months and then revaccinated according to vaccine label and state veterinarian revaccination periods.
Arkansas	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months of initial; then every 1 or 3 years per vaccine label.
California	Dogs	16 weeks	First booster 12 months after initial dose, then every 3 years (or per product label) unless local ordinances require more frequent boosters.
Colorado	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then every 1 or 3 years per product label.
Connecticut	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months of initial; then every 3 years per product label.
Delaware	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then every 1 or 3 years per vaccine label.
District of Columbia	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
Florida	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	16 weeks	Primary vaccination at 4 months; booster at 12 months; thereafter every 1 or 3 years based on product label.
Georgia	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Primary vaccination by 3 months, booster at 12 months, then every 1 or 3 years as labeled.
Hawaii	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets, Other mammals (case-by-case)	16 weeks	Booster within 12 months of initial; then every 1 or 3 years per product label.
Idaho	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then every 1 or 3 years per vaccine label.
Illinois	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	16 weeks	First booster within 1 year; subsequent boosters follow 1- or 3-year label depending on vaccine used.
Indiana	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months of initial; then every 1 or 3 years per vaccine label.
Iowa	Dogs, Cats	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then every 1 or 3 years per vaccine label.
Kansas	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then every 1 or 3 years per product label.
Kentucky	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
Louisiana	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then every 1 or 3 years per vaccine label.
Maine	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
Maryland	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then every 1 or 3 years per vaccine label.
Massachusetts	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label (typically every 3 years).
Michigan	Dogs, Cats (in some areas), Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months of initial; then every 1 or 3 years based on product label.
Minnesota	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months of initial; then every 1 or 3 years per vaccine label.
Mississippi	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
Missouri	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then every 1 or 3 years per vaccine label.
Montana	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
Nebraska	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
Nevada	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
New Hampshire	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
New Jersey	Dogs	28 weeks	Dogs are vaccinated by 7 months, revaccinated at 1 year, and then according to authorized vaccine duration schedules.
New Mexico	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
New York	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Vaccinate by 4 months; booster at 12 months; thereafter per vaccine label (typically every 3 years).
North Carolina	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Vaccinate by 4 months; booster at 12 months; follow 1- or 3-year product label thereafter.
North Dakota	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
Ohio	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Vaccinate by 3 months; booster at 1 year; follow product label thereafter.
Oklahoma	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
Oregon	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
Pennsylvania	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Vaccinate by 3 months, booster at 12 months, then per vaccine label (usually every 3 years).
Rhode Island	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then every 3 years per vaccine label.
South Carolina	Dogs, Cats	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
South Dakota	Dogs, Cats	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
Tennessee	Dogs, Cats	12 weeks	First dose at around 3-4 months, booster after 1 year, then every 1 or 3 years depending on vaccine label.
Texas	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Initial vaccine at 12 weeks; booster at 1 year; thereafter follow 1- or 3-year product label.
Utah	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
Vermont	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
Virginia	Dogs, Cats	16 weeks	Dogs and cats are vaccinated at 4 months or older and kept current per USDA-licensed vaccine intervals.
Washington	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
West Virginia	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.
Wisconsin	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	8 weeks	Booster within 12 months of initial; then every 1 or 3 years per vaccine label.
Wyoming	Dogs, Cats, Ferrets	12 weeks	Booster within 12 months; then per vaccine label.

Source: state statutes and health department guidance compiled per state — see each linked state page for citations. Municipal rules may be stricter.