[Added 6-25-1992 by Res. No. 225-1992]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
Any person, persons or organization contracted by a municipality for the control of animals.
BITE
To be seized by teeth so that the skin of the person or animal has been nipped or gripped, wounded or pierced and includes probably contact of saliva with a break, abrasion of the skin or with any mucous membrane.
CAT
All members of the domesticated feline (felis catus), four months of age and older.
OWNER
Any person who keeps or harbors a cat or who has it in his care or permits it to remain on or about any premises occupied by him.
RABID TERRESTRIAL ANIMAL
An animal or animals, that by its nature feeds on the ground, that is infected with rabies.
RABIES VACCINE
An animal rabies vaccine licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered according to the recommendations of the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians.
SIGNIFICANTLY REPORTED
The verbal or written report of two or more laboratory-confirmed rabid terrestrial animals infected with a strain of virus that is expected to rapidly spread to other terrestrial animals.
VACCINATION
The administration of rabies vaccine by a licensed veterinarian or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. A cat is considered vaccinated only during the time the vaccine has given it an immunity to rabies.
A. 
The owner of every cat four months or older shall have the cat vaccinated against rabies.
(1) 
The duration of the vaccine's immunity shall be consistent with the specifications of the rabies vaccine used.
(2) 
Evidence of vaccination shall consist of a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian with the original certificate given to the owner and a copy retained by the person administering the vaccine.
(3) 
The certificate shall legibly include a description of the cat, its age, sex, breed and the name and address of the owner, and the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine, its type and lot number used, and the date the cat shall be revaccinated.
B. 
The vaccination requirements shall not apply to cats owned by a nonresident in which the cat will not be in Monroe County for a period exceeding 15 days, to cats confined to the premises of incorporated societies devoted to the care of lost, strayed or homeless animals, or confined to the premises of public or private hospitals devoted to the treatment of sick animals or confined for the purposes of research to the premises of colleges or other educational or research institutions.
A. 
As long as terrestrial rabies is not significantly reported in Monroe County or its contiguous counties, owners of cats shall be subject to a notice of violation and to a penalty when the cat(s) is found to be unvaccinated at the following times:
(1) 
When the cat is reported to have bitten a person.
(2) 
When the cat is reported to have bitten or been bitten by other domestic or wild warm-blooded animals other than rodents.
(3) 
When the cat has been impounded by an animal control official and is redeemed by the owner.
B. 
When terrestrial rabies is significantly reported in Monroe County or its contiguous counties, the owners of cats shall be subject to a notice of violation and to a penalty when the cat(s) is found, at any time, to be unvaccinated.
[1]
Editor's Note: For penalties, see § 569-7 of this chapter.