I just double checked. It actually says to vaccinate within 96 hours of exposure.
Here is the actual wording of the law:
“Dogs, cats and ferrets that have never been vaccinated against rabies (including when reports of past vaccination cannot be verified):
• Euthanasia is strongly recommended. If the exposed animal has bitten a human within 10 days of the date of euthanasia, a specimen should be promptly submitted for rabies testing.
• If not euthanized, the attending veterinarian shall notify the local health department where the animal resides, administer rabies booster vaccination within 96 hours of exposure, and issue a Rabies Advisory Notice to the animal owner.
• The Health Officer shall order the exposed dog or cat to be confined and observed for 4 months in strict quarantine (i.e., no human or animal contact) in a kennel or cage in a veterinary hospital, animal control facility, or commercial boarding establishment, or escape-proof pen at the owner’s home. The local health department shall approve confinement facilities and perform unannounced inspections to ensure compliance with the quarantine order. Any illness in an exposed animal should be reported immediately to the local health department.
• Veterinarians or other persons aware of a ferret exposed to rabies shall report the situation to the local health department and the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Exotic and Nongame Permits Office at 908-735-5450 or email
[email protected].
• Ferrets shall be confined and observed for 6 months in strict quarantine.
• The exposed animal shall be strictly confined until it is either euthanized or placed into a 4 month strict
quarantine.”