A bill allowing individuals who are not veterinarians to administer rabies vaccines on animals passed the House Regulatory Reform and Economic Development Subcommittee Wednesday.
HB 303 allows an “employee, an agent or a contractor” of a county or municipal animal control authority or sheriff to administer the vaccines on impounded dogs, cats, and ferrets who will be “transferred, rescued, fostered, adopted, or reclaimed by the owner.”
The process must be done with “indirect supervision” from a veterinarian.
Rep. Sam Killebrew, R-Winter Haven, sponsored the legislation.
“It’s no different than you giving your dog or cat some type of an allergy shot,” Killebrew said. “This is not surgery. This is just a need, especially in the animal control by cities and counties where you have so many animals.”
“Indirect supervision” includes having access to a veterinarian through telecommunication if needed, but not requiring a physical presence, according to the bill.
The bill said veterinarians who assume indirect supervision must be responsible for any actions by the individual who is administering the vaccine and is required to affix his or her signature stamp in lieu of their actual signature for the vaccination certificate.
According to staff analysis, under Florida law, only licensed veterinarians are able to administer the vaccines even though all dogs, cats and ferrets four months or older are required to have the shot.