Rabies rules by state
Rabies vaccination rules, state by state.
Every state requires or expects rabies vaccination for dogs; the difference is whether the rule is written at the state level or left to counties and cities. Pick your state for what applies, what proof looks like, and where to confirm it.
All fifty states
Last reviewed September 2026. Laws change and counties add their own rules; every state page says where to confirm. Proof is the same everywhere: the signed certificate, not the tag. See what is a rabies certificate.
| State | Dogs |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Alaska | Set by counties and cities |
| Arizona | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Arkansas | Statewide rule for dogs |
| California | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Colorado | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Connecticut | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Delaware | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Florida | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Georgia | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Hawaii | Rabies-free; import rules |
| Idaho | Set by counties and cities |
| Illinois | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Indiana | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Iowa | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Kansas | Set by counties and cities |
| Kentucky | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Louisiana | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Maine | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Maryland | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Massachusetts | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Michigan | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Minnesota | Set by counties and cities |
| Mississippi | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Missouri | Set by counties and cities |
| Montana | Set by counties and cities |
| Nebraska | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Nevada | Set by counties and cities |
| New Hampshire | Statewide rule for dogs |
| New Jersey | Statewide rule for dogs |
| New Mexico | Statewide rule for dogs |
| New York | Statewide rule for dogs |
| North Carolina | Statewide rule for dogs |
| North Dakota | Set by counties and cities |
| Ohio | Set by counties and cities |
| Oklahoma | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Oregon | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Pennsylvania | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Rhode Island | Statewide rule for dogs |
| South Carolina | Statewide rule for dogs |
| South Dakota | Set by counties and cities |
| Tennessee | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Texas | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Utah | Set by counties and cities |
| Vermont | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Virginia | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Washington | Statewide rule for dogs |
| West Virginia | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Wisconsin | Statewide rule for dogs |
| Wyoming | Set by counties and cities |
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