Committee hears testimony on H.841 animal-welfare bill; debate centers on rabies vaccinator program, cat sterilization and breeder limits

The Government Operations & Military Affairs committee heard detailed testimony on H.841 on Feb. 18 as lawmakers weighed provisions to expand animal-welfare oversight and increase rabies vaccination access.

Lisa Millett, director of animal welfare at the Vermont Department of Public Safety, told the committee the bill “does a couple of things that are really important to get started” and highlighted a certified rabies vaccinator provision as a priority. Millett urged a phased approach to new inspection or licensing rules, recommending a free registry of shelters, rescues and importers before imposing inspection and fee-based regimes.

The bill would, among other items, authorize three categories of potential vaccinators operating under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian: veterinary clinic staff, shelter staff and humane officers. Millett said expanding who may administer rabies vaccines could raise vaccination rates where access to veterinary care is limited, and…