Virginia Hunting Dog Owner's Association

----- Original Message -----
From: vhdoa@mailman.montana.com
To: S_VHDOA
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2006 10:18 PM
Subject: HB339's Dog Owner Database Implementation and You
A VHDOA message to dog owning sportsmen about protecting their traditions, avocations and livelihoods from anti-hunting, anti-breeding, animal guardianship advocates. Forwarding and cross posting, with attribution, encouraged.
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Dear Fellow Virginia Dog Owners,

Under normal circumstances, Virginia statutes passed by our General Assembly become effective on July 1st, the first day of our fiscal year. In order to give veterinarians and local officials sufficient time to implement the mandated statewide dog owner billing database constructed from rabies vaccination records, HB339 will not become effective until July 1, 2007. In the meantime, HB339 provides that "the Treasurers' Association of Virginia and the Virginia Veterinary Medicine Association, in consultation with the Virginia Municipal League and the Virginia Association of Counties, are requested to develop and distribute to their members, no later than October 1, 2006, uniform application forms and materials for implementing the provisions of this act. ...Licensing periods for individual dogs and cats may be equal to and may run concurrently with the rabies vaccination effective period." Veto HB339

It appears likely that the 2007 General Assembly will consider increasing intact animal licensing costs and requiring microchipping, as other areas have done so dramatically across the U.S. this year. While several Virginia cities have $25 intact fees and most are less than $10, they have been increased to $60-150 elsewhere. If you wish to prevent having your personal information publicly exposed in HB339's open database, you must avoid Virginia veterinarian rabies vaccinations. Your vet *will* report every detail involving you and your dog(s) to local authorities, on approved, computer scanable forms. It's the law. That local jurisdiction information will be consolidated in Richmond.

Rabies is terrible, fatal disease that is endemic in Virginia. It currently represents a bigger problem in cats than in dogs. Confirmed Rabies Reports and Virginia Heath Department

State dog owners concerned about maintaining their privacy and also wishing to protect their animals against rabies have several options. Rabies vaccinations may be obtained outside of the state. Maryland, West Virginia and North Carolina veterinarians may not be compelled to report your information. Perhaps out-of-state rabies clinics can be established for Virginia residents. You may also self-vaccinate. It is entirely legal to self-vaccinate for rabies, just as it is for DHL-Parvo, Bordetella, etc. Many animal owners give their own DHL-Parvo shots to puppies and adults. It's easy, cheap and effective. Very equivalent rabies vaccine to that used by vets is widely available by mail order. Currently you may purchase a ten-dose vial of three-year rabies vaccine for a delivered cost of $16.95. Self-administered rabies IM or SubQ vaccinations aren't recognized in Virginia for licensing purposes, but if you want to keep your name off HB339's public list and can protect your dogs at $1.70 each, while also avoiding the cost of three-year dog tags, this bill creates some very unusual incentives. Should you attempt to have a vet vaccinate animals between now and July 1, 2007, you may discover numerous rules have been changed to your detriment by the next General Assembly.

Sincerely,
Bob Kane
Virginia Hunting Dog Owners' Association
http://vhdoa.uplandbirddog.com/
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The message above was posted to Virginia residents by the Virginia Hunting Dog Owners' Association (VHDOA).

VHDOA is a nonpartisan volunteer group working to protect sportsmen and hunting dog owners from the legislative and political threats of radical animal rightists. We lobby the General Assembly and Congress, when necessary. It is the largest Virginia organization fighting this struggle and has an established record of accomplishments for both sportsmen and dog owners in these arenas. Visit our website at http://vhdoa.uplandbirddog.com/ for our mission statement, goals, legislative track record and elist signup details.

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