NEW - MARIJUANA
AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
California -
California Veterinary Medical Board
2017
- Marijuana is still illegal for use in veterinary
medicine in California.
- If the California Veterinary Medical board receives a complaint related to
marijuana use in veterinary medicine, they will be
obliged to investigate.
- Federal law - Prohibits veterinarians from
possessing, administering, dispensing, or
prescribing marijuana and related products.
- California law - Although state laws allow
physicians to prescribe marijuana for human
patients, and adults over 21 years of age may use it
for medical purposes, California law still
does not allow veterinarians to prescribe it for
animals.
ANIMAL BITES
California -
California Code
of Regulations
(Section 2606)
- In California, anyone with knowledge
of an animal bite to a person must
report the incident to the local health
department
- Bites from rodents (rats, squirrels,
etc) and lagomorphs (rabbits) are not
reportable
Los Angeles County -
Code of Ordinances (Title
11.04)
- In Los Angeles County, physicians
with knowledge of an animal bite to a
person must report the incident to the
local health department
- Dogs and cats that have bitten a
person must be isolated for 10 days
RABIES VACCINATION OF PETS
California -
California Health and Safety Code
(Section 121690)
- Starting January 1st, 2014, dogs in California can be vaccinated
against rabies as early as 3 months of
age (vaccinations at 4 months also
legal).
- Licensing of dogs in California
remains at 4 months of age
ANIMAL DISEASE REPORTING
Los Angeles County -
Code of Ordinances (Title 10, Division 2, Section
10.64.020)
- Any infectious disease in animals
must be reported to the local health
department
- A
disease priority list
has been
made by the Veterinary Public Health
Program (VPH)
ANIMAL IMPORTATION
Los Angeles County -
Code of Ordinances
(Title 10, Division 2, Section
10.56.10)
- No sick or injured animal can be
imported into Los Angeles County
(exceptions apply)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) -
Bringing a Dog into the United States
- Dogs imported from a country where
rabies is present must be vaccinated
against rabies at least 30 days before entering the USA
- Dogs should be vaccinated as early
as 3 months of age and wait 1 additional
month in the country of origin prior to
entry into the USA
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) -
Animal Welfare Act
(§2148, Importation of live dogs)
- Dogs imported into the USA for
retail purposes must be at least 6
months of age, in good health and be up
to dates on their vaccines.
ANIMALS AND PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS
California -
Code of Regulations (22
CA ADC § 65534)
- Animals shall not be permitted in a public pool
or pool area excepts as provided in Civil Code
sections 54, 54.1, and 54.2. To learn more about
pool regulations visit the Environmental Health
webpage on
Operation and Maintenance of Public Pools.
Last updated: March 1, 2024
