Section 2141. Compulsory vaccination

1. Every dog, cat and domesticated
  ferret shall be actively immunized against  rabies  in  accordance  with
  regulations   promulgated  by  the  commissioner.  Every  dog,  cat  and
  domesticated ferret shall have all initial vaccinations administered  no
  later  than  four  months  after  birth. Every dog, cat and domesticated
  ferret shall have a second vaccination within one  year  of  the  first.
  Terms of subsequent vaccine administration and duration of immunity must
  be  in  compliance with USDA licenses of vaccines used. The veterinarian
  immunizing or supervising any person authorized by law to immunize  such
  animal  shall  provide  the  owner  with  a  certificate of immunization
  consistent with the requirements of section  one  hundred  nine  of  the
  agriculture  and markets law. The veterinarian immunizing or supervising
  any person authorized by law to immunize such animal shall  provide  any
  public  health official with the certificate of immunization in any case
  involving a dog, cat or domesticated ferret which has been or  may  have
  been  exposed  to rabies or in any case of possible exposure of a person
  or another animal to rabies.
    2. Subdivision one of this section shall not apply to any feral animal
  or any dog, cat or domesticated ferret:
    (a) that is transported through the state and  remains  in  the  state
  fifteen days or fewer;
    (b) confined to the premises of an incorporated society devoted to the
  care of lost, stray or homeless animals;
    (c)  for  which  vaccination against rabies would adversely affect the
  animal's health, as determined by a licensed veterinarian; or
    (d) confined for the purposes of research to the premises of a college
  or other educational or research institution.
    3. (a) Every  veterinarian  providing  treatment  to  a  dog,  cat  or
  domesticated   ferret   shall   verify,  in  accordance  with  standards
  established by the commissioner, if such animal  is  actively  immunized
  against  rabies  or  is exempt under subdivision two of this section. If
  active immunization or exemption cannot be  verified,  the  veterinarian
  shall immunize the animal at the owner's request.
    (b)  If the animal is exempt from the provisions of subdivision one of
  this section, pursuant to paragraph  (c)  of  subdivision  two  of  this
  section,  the  veterinarian  shall  provide the owner of the dog, cat or
  domesticated ferret with a certified statement verifying that the animal
  is exempt from immunization because  the  immunization  would  adversely
  affect  the  health of the animal, and verifying the nature and duration
  of such exemption. The certified statement shall be in a form prescribed
  by the commissioner and shall be consistent  with  the  requirements  of
  section  one  hundred  nine  of the agriculture and markets law. Medical
  exemptions are to be renewed on an annual basis.
    4. The owning of a dog, cat or domesticated ferret by  any  person  in
  violation  of  subdivision  one  of  this  section  shall  constitute  a
  violation, and shall be subject to a fine  not  to  exceed  two  hundred
  dollars for each offense.