The Washington State Department of Health says vaccination for pets such as dogs...cats and ferrets will be mandatory starting January 1st.
The ruling's intention is to reduce the number of rabies exposures in Washington.
The Health Department says many pets get infected with the virus through contact with bats carrying the disease.
Statistics from the State Health Department show that since 2003... 36 bats have tested positive for rabies in Chelan County and six in Douglas County.
Allison Cook of the department says the rulling will not be enforeced at a state level, local entities would fine pet owners who have not treated their animals.
A recent study shows that cats are the most commonly affected domestic animals nationwide with twice as many cats testing positive as dogs.
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