Important Notice: Rabies Vaccination Requirement
To Our Valued Clients,
This letter is to inform you of an important update regarding our pet care policies, effective immediately. In our ongoing commitment to ensuring the health and safety of all animals and people in our community, rabies vaccination will now be a mandatory requirement for all dogs and cats visiting our facility.
This measure aligns with public health guidelines and best veterinary practices, and is also required by Washington State law, providing crucial protection against the rabies virus, a serious and often fatal disease for both animals and humans.
Please note the following exceptions to this policy:
- Pets under the age of 16 weeks / 4 months: Puppies and kittens who have not yet reached the appropriate age for their initial rabies vaccination are exempt from this requirement. However, we strongly encourage scheduling their first vaccination as soon as they are old enough, in accordance with our recommended vaccination schedule.
- Medical Exemption: Pets with a documented medical condition such as immune-mediated disease, cancer, or undergoing chemotherapy, or as specifically recommended by a veterinary specialist, may be exempt. A signed medical exemption form or letter from your veterinarian or specialist detailing the reason for exemption will be required.
- Currently Sick Pets: For pets with an acute illness, rabies vaccination may be postponed until recovery. Please discuss your pet’s current health status with our staff upon arrival, as vaccination will be required once they have recovered.
For all other pets, proof of current rabies vaccination will be required upon arrival for appointments, grooming, or any other services. If current vaccination records cannot be provided, the rabies vaccine will be required at the time of your visit. If your pet is not currently vaccinated against rabies, or if their vaccination is due for a booster, please contact us at your earliest convenience to schedule an appointment.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding during this transition. Your pet’s health and the safety of our staff are our top priorities. If there are concerns that prevent you from vaccinating your pet without a medical exemption, we encourage you to discuss these with us so we can determine if our services remain the best fit for your pet’s needs and our clinic’s health protocols.
Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact our office at (425) 888-3300 during business hours or email us at info@northbendanimalclinic.com.
Thank you for your continued trust in North Bend Animal Clinic.
