West virginia rabies law--urgent

WEST VIRGINIA URGENT-- Contact Legislators and ask them to introduce a bill extending the required rabies vaccination interval to 3 years. (Senate http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Senate1...enmemview.cfm# House http://www.legis.state.wv.us/House/m...elmemview1.cfm ) Feb. 22 is the last date a bill can be introduced this session, and Dr. Gary Kinder, the State Veterinarian e-mailed me on 1/19/10 that "The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) will not oppose legislation that will increase the interval for required rabies vaccination from two years to three years for dogs and cats residing in West Virginia. " He did not say that his department would introduce such a bill, however, so in order for the West Virginia rabies law to be amended to the 3 year national standard, a Senator or Delegate will have to introduce the bill on behalf of a resident.

Please act now.

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WEST VIRGINIA HB 4407 http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Te...407%20intr.htm has been introduced in the West Virginia House Agriculture Committee by Delegates Guthrie, Butcher, and Maypenny. This bill would change the current 2 year rabies booster requirement for dogs and cats to the 3 year national standard and includes a medical exemption clause for sick animals.

What You Can Do to Help

Contact the House Agriculture Committee members and ask them to pass HB 4407. A message may be phoned in to the Agriculture Committee Chair, Delegate Butcher at (304) 340-3113 or e-mailed to all the committee members at: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]