(a) Only the vaccinating veterinarian shall issue official rabies vaccination certificates. Each certificate shall contain the information required by 25 TAC §169.29 (relating to Vaccination Requirement) adopted by the Department of State Health Services, including:      
        (1) owner's name, address and telephone number;       
        (2) animal identification species, sex (including neutered if applicable), approximate age (three months to 12 months, 12 months or older), size (pounds), predominant breed, and colors;       
        (3) vaccine used product name, manufacturer, and serial number;       
        (4) date vaccinated;       
        (5) date vaccination expires (re-vaccination due date);       
        (6) rabies tag number if a tag is issued; and       
        (7) veterinarian's signature, or electronic signature, or signature stamp and license number, in accordance with §573.10 of this title (relating to Supervision of Non-Licensed Persons).       
      (b) Each veterinarian that issues a rabies vaccination certificate, or the veterinary practice where the certificate was issued, shall retain a readily retrievable copy of the certificate for a period of not less than five years from the date of issuance.     
      (c) A veterinarian having knowledge of an animal bite to a human shall immediately report the incident to the local health authority. A veterinarian preparing an animal's body for rabies diagnosis shall comply with all requirements of 25 TAC §169.33 (relating to Submission of Specimens for Laboratory Examination) adopted by the Department of State Health Services.     
      (d) A veterinarian who ceases the practice of veterinary medicine shall deliver to the local health authority all duplicate rabies vaccination certificates issued by the veterinarian within the preceding five-year period. A veterinarian who sells or leases his or her practice to another veterinarian may transfer duplicate rabies certificates with the records of the practice which are transferred to a new owner.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §573.51 adopted to be effective June 14, 2012, 37 TexReg 4229; amended to be effective December 23, 2013, 38 TexReg 9365; amended to be effective August 22, 2016, 41 TexReg 6203