Florida — rabies vaccination compulsory for dogs, cats, and ferrets (Statute § 828.30)
Source: Florida Statutes — Section 828.30 (Rabies vaccination of dogs, cats, and ferrets), flsenate.gov, extracted 2026-07-29 via Tokyo relay. First-hand Florida statute text; C1 substring-verified against pdf-raw/mandatory-vaccination/fl_828_30_rabies.txt. This is the statutory mandate to vaccinate (the LAW), distinct from clinical vaccine-guidance topics and from local leash/licensing ordinances.
Florida makes rabies vaccination compulsory by statute for dogs, cats, and ferrets. Section 828.30 requires that all dogs, cats, and ferrets 4 months of age or older be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian (or a person authorized under the statute) with a USDA-licensed vaccine. The owner must have the animal revaccinated 12 months after the initial vaccination, then at intervals per the vaccine manufacturer's directions. A licensed veterinarian may certify in writing a medical exemption where vaccination would endanger the animal's health.
This covers the state-level "is rabies vaccination legally required?" question for Florida at the statute level; it applies to dogs, cats, and ferrets and is administered by animal-control authorities and the Department of Health. Local governments may set requirements similar to or more stringent than the section, but may not mandate revaccination of currently vaccinated animals except for postexposure treatment.
Verbatim C1 claims (each a substring of the source file)
828.30 Rabies vaccination of dogs, cats, and ferrets.—(1)(a) All dogs, cats, and ferrets 4 months of age or older must be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian or a person authorized under paragraph (b) against rabies with a vaccine that is licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture for use in those species.(c) The owner of every dog, cat, and ferret shall have the animal revaccinated 12 months after the initial vaccination.(2) A dog, cat, or ferret is exempt from vaccination against rabies if a licensed veterinarian has examined the animal and has certified in writing that at the time vaccination would endanger the animal’s health because of its age, infirmity, disability, illness, or other medical considerations.