EMERGENCY ORDER CONCERNING THE VACCINATIONS OR ALTERNATIVE CONFINEMENT OF CERTAIN ANIMALS

Pursuant to Section 22-278 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Commissioner of Agriculture declares an Emergency Order based on the following:

1. Rabies is currently still spreading among raccoon and other animal populations in the State of Connecticut.

2. Rabies is an infectious, fatal disease that can be transmitted from the animals
   to humans.

3. Animals not currently vaccinated against rabies that have been exposed to rabies and come in contact with the public present a serious public health risk.

4. Many inquiries asking for clarification of the original order's application have resulted in the modification and guidelines set forth.

The provisions of the Emergency Order are as follows:

Any animals, for which there is a licensed rabies vaccine, used in situations where the public is invited or allowed to have direct physical contact with the animals, such as a petting zoo, nature center, fair, exhibition, riding stable, pony ride or educational program involving animals, must have a current rabies vaccination. A primary rabies vaccination will not be considered current until a period of 30 days after such vaccination.  Animals not currently vaccinated for rabies and animals for which there is not a licensed rabies vaccine available must be excluded from contact with the public by sufficient means if not controlled situations (see 4.a. below).

The following guidelines must be followed:

1. Animals for which there is a licensed rabies vaccine include dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, cattle and sheep.

2. Animals such as mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits, which can be documented as being born and raised indoors are considered low risk and are not covered by this Order.

3. Birds and reptiles are not covered by this Order.

4. Animals for which there is no licensed rabies vaccine and which for the most part are kept outdoors present a higher risk of rabies exposure.  Animals in this group including, but not limited to goats, donkeys, rabbits, pigs, llamas, wild animals and exotic may present two situations: controlled and uncontrolled.

   1. The public is not prohibited from having contact with animals in controlled situations such as educational presentations where the animals are under the control of a handler and persons coming into contact could be readily identified and contacted if a rabies problem arose.  Pet shops, dog pounds, humane shelters, and nature centers shall be deemed operating under a controlled situation if a record is maintained for a period of 30 days identifying name, address and telephone number of all persons who come in contact with animals in this group.

   2. The public shall be prevented from having contact with this group of animals in uncontrolled situations where the public can come and go as they please and where there exists no means of identifying persons who have had contact with these animals.  Animals in such uncontrolled situations should be separated from the public by sufficient  means such as a double fence, plexiglass, or other device and/or conspicuously posted signs stating "CONNECTICUT RABIES ADVISORY NOTICE - DO NOT FEE OR TOUCH ANIMALS".