What you can do ~

1. This website has a fairly comprehensive amount of facts, articles, research, and findings which you can share with other pet owners, your family, and friends. Subscribe to our mailing list to stay current on developments and items of concern to you as a pet owner and consumer.

2. It may be time to ask about your veterinarian's policy about rabies boosters. If he or she is on a two year adult dog protocol, explain that you'd prefer a three year protocol based on information you've read about the CDC's Rabies Compendium, and manufacturer and AAHA/AVMA recommendations which all call for three year boosters. You can mention this site or any of the reference articles and links provided here. Most veterinarians are good practitioners who want what's best for you animal, though some mistakenly promote two year protocols feeling it shouldn't do any harm - It can and does. Your vet is obligated to provide you with accurate information, and you are entitled to have answers to any questions you may have.

3. Locally, check your city and county regulations. Your community may require a proof that your pet's rabies is up to date in order for you to obtain a license. Your vet is the likely source of that validation. If the city or county specifies something less than a three year protocol after the puppy series, there is a problem with their guidelines or regulation. The local officials may not know about current rabies protocols, and they may have deferred to local veterinarians who may have worked with an older protocol. In any event it is time for a little civic activism. First be polite, your local officials may already be on your side if they are provided with the good/current information you now have. Ask how to go about changing the regulation or rule to be more up to date. To some it may seem like it's not worth the effort, but it matters to some of the pets in your community; its a matter of avoiding unnecessary adverse reactions and useless cost.

City codes have been changed in Minnesota in the past, and it was quite easy. It has been done in St. Anthony Village in 2007, and in Hawley in 2011 with very little effort. It is simply a matter of a little educating of the right officials and attending a few meetings. Examples of well written city codes that keep current with the Compendium and standards of practice are the Oak Park Heights, Minnesota and the AVMA model ordinance listed on the home page of this site.

4. If your veterinarian is unwilling to listen to you or insists on a protocol which is not based on scientific research or evidence that he/she can inform you of, please look for another veterinarian!

5. In case of a vaccine reaction call your veterinarian immediately, and discuss reporting the reaction to the right authorities. Reporting will improve the knowlege base for animal vaccination reactions. Principles of Vaccination (link, states on page 19," Vaccine AEs (Adverse Events) are underreported" and continues to say 'In other words it is appropriate to report any known or suspected negaitive event associated with vaccination Page 20.

Page 20 also includes a list of adverse reactions that have been attributed to vaccine administration. Easy to understand information can be found on AVMA Link (What to expect after your pet's vaccination). And discuss titer testing with your veterinarian. If you haven't already, look through, When To Say No To Needles, read the section "When a Test is Best."

6. Finally, if you feel your vet is acting against your pet's best interests, you are always able to file a formal complaint or report a veterinarian to the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine. "The mission of the Board is to promote, preserve, and protect the health , safety and welfare of the public and animals through the effective control and regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine." (Link for how to make a complaint)

Oh, and watch this website for updates and information.

Thanks for caring!