Will Falconer, DVM Moderator
Hi Chris, and welcome. An already rabies vaccinated dog, if he was vaccinated over the age of 16 weeks, is immune, with very high likelihood, for life.
A number of my clients are in the same boat: they know they've fulfilled the intent of the law, their animals will neither get nor pass rabies on to another being. Done deal. So, they choose to no longer license, as licensing demands further unnecessary and potentially damaging rabies vaccinations.
Will your vet go along with not further vaccinating? You'll only know if you have a reasoned chat about it. In the end, if he won't, it may be time to search for another vet. Many will just default to, "It's the law. We have to do this." But they are not law enforcement, they are vets. You can say no.
Now, if you're asking about your youngster, who's never had a rabies vaccine, unless this dog lives in a high rise and never gets out, I usually suggest one rabies vaccination, again, over the 16 weeks old mark, as that's likely to set about lifetime immunity. You can titer a month later to see if you've accomplished this.
A rabies unvaccinated dog is risky: a low chance that he could get rabies, but its there. More concerning is this: if he were to ever bite anyone, for any reason, justified or not, he can be immediately euthanized and his brain tested for rabies. Not true in someone with proof of rabies vaccination, even if "out of date."
To read more of my thoughts on rabies or vaccinations, just put the word in the search box at the bottom of most pages on Vital Animal, and it'll bring up every mention of it.
Best of luck in all this. I'm not saying it's a piece of cake, but I am saying it can be done. We're rooting for you to find a way to make it work for you and those in your care.