No license tax shall be levied on any dog that is trained and serves as a guide dog for a blind person, that is trained and serves as a hearing dog for a deaf or hearing-impaired person or that is trained and serves as a service dog for a mobility-impaired or otherwise disabled person. As used in this section, "hearing dog," "mobility-impaired person," "otherwise disabled person," and "service dog" have the same meanings as assigned by § 51.5-40.1 of the Code of Virginia. Such dogs are subject to the mandatory vaccination provisions of § 3.2-6521 of the Code of Virginia and §
65-3 of this Code.
No dog or kennel license tag shall be issued until the owner or custodian provides written proof that all dogs to be licensed have been vaccinated against rabies by presenting the state-prescribed certificate of vaccination from a licensed veterinarian, or from a licensed veterinarian technician under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian. The certificate must show the dog has been vaccinated, and the expiration date on the certificate must be after July 1 of the license year if a one-year license is sought, or after July 1 of the last year of the license if a multiyear license is sought, provided nothing in this provision shall relieve the owner or custodian from complying with the vaccination requirements of §
65-3 of this Code, or § 3.2-6521 of the Code of Virginia, which require a dog to always be subject to an unexpired vaccination certificate. If an animal suffers from an underlying medical condition that is likely to result in a life-threatening condition in response to vaccination, and such exemption would not risk public health and safety, an exemption granted to a dog by regulation of the Board of Health shall be considered in place of a current certificate of vaccination only for the purpose of obtaining a license. (Note: See §§ 3.2-6521, 3.2-6526, 3.2-6527 and 3.2-6529, Code of Virginia.)