Will Falconer, DVM Moderator
Hi Crystal,
So sorry the "storm troopers" descended on you and your mom's dogs. Where are you located that this happens? (I like to keep track, informally, of where this happens and doesn't).
They are likely not going to take an argument in lieu of a rabies vaccine. They are petty officials, and as such, are not wired to open mindedness.
As I mentioned earlier, a client of mine had an earlier dog die of kidney failure that appeared to be tied to a vaccination. She decided No More! and ended up in court in her city, contesting what you're up against, and opted to pay a $900 fine instead of giving in. They don't bother her any more. She did this with several dogs, and the $900 may have been the total for 3 or more, I don't remember the details clearly.
She had her day in court, they heard the logic of why more vaccinations were not needed nor healthful, and held her ground to the point of paying fines.
If your state allows medical exemptions, perhaps an open minded vet would write a waiver. I know I can *almost always* find some symptoms of health challenges in my patients, so will write these waivers (for grooming and boarding, so far, not gestapo) regularly.
Let us know what you end up doing, and remember: try to deliver the information with a smile and hope for the best. You have a lot of science behind you, and they know none of it in their little cubicles.
I wish you all the best.
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