Maryland's statewide rabies vaccination requirement
Under Maryland Health-General Article §18-318 through §18-320 (accessed August 30, 2026), all dogs and cats in Maryland must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Maryland takes this seriously — the state is part of the raccoon rabies epizootic zone stretching from Florida through the mid-Atlantic, and the Maryland Department of Agriculture (accessed August 30, 2026) typically reports 50–100+ wildlife rabies cases annually. Raccoons are the primary vector, with skunks and foxes as secondary carriers.
For Maryland pet owners, this isn't just paperwork — even suburban yards in Montgomery County, Howard County, and the Baltimore metro regularly see raccoon activity. A current rabies certificate is your pet's first line of documentation if there's ever a bite incident or animal control encounter.
Lyme disease: Maryland's second big risk
Maryland is classified as a high-incidence state for Lyme disease by the CDC (accessed August 30, 2026). Black-legged ticks (deer ticks) carrying Borrelia burgdorferi are present across the state, with particularly high density in the central and western counties, the Eastern Shore, and suburban wooded areas. Dogs that spend time outdoors in Maryland — hiking in Catoctin Mountain Park, walking in Rock Creek Park, or just in a backyard near tree cover — face meaningful Lyme exposure.
The Lyme vaccine for dogs is not required by Maryland law but is widely recommended by Maryland veterinarians for dogs with outdoor exposure. Keep records of Lyme vaccination alongside core vaccines — boarding facilities and new vets will want to see the full picture.
Tick-borne diseases beyond Lyme
Maryland's tick population transmits more than Lyme. Ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) are all documented in Maryland dogs. The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) (accessed August 30, 2026) maps Maryland in the moderate-to-high zone for multiple tick-borne pathogens. There are no vaccines for most of these — prevention relies on tick preventatives and regular screening. Records of tick preventative prescriptions and annual tick-borne disease panels are important documents to maintain.
What vaccination records Maryland pet owners should maintain
| Record Type | Required by Law? | Frequency | Maryland Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabies certificate | ✓ Yes — HG §18-318 | Every 1–3 years (per vaccine type) | Required for county licensing; critical given MD's high wildlife rabies rate |
| DHPP (distemper, parvo combo) | ✗ No — AAHA guideline | Puppy series, then every 1–3 years | Required by most MD boarding/daycare facilities |
| Bordetella | ✗ No — facility requirement | Every 6–12 months | Required by nearly all boarding, daycare, and grooming in MD |
| Lyme vaccine (dogs) | ✗ No — vet recommended | Annually if given | Strongly recommended — MD is a Lyme high-incidence state |
| Leptospirosis vaccine | ✗ No — vet recommended | Annually | Recommended for dogs near water/wildlife in MD |
| FVRCP (cats) | ✗ No — AAFP guideline | Kitten series, then every 1–3 years | Required by cat boarding facilities |
| Canine influenza (H3N2/H3N8) | ✗ No — facility requirement | Initial 2-dose series, then annually | Increasingly required by Baltimore/DC metro boarding |
| Tick-borne disease panel | ✗ No | Annually recommended | Important screening given MD's tick burden |
When you'll need your Maryland vaccination records
- County pet licensing: Montgomery, Prince George's, Baltimore County, Howard, and Anne Arundel all require rabies certification for licensing
- Boarding and daycare: Rabies + bordetella at minimum; many Maryland facilities now require canine influenza vaccination, especially in the Baltimore/DC corridor
- Dog parks: Some Maryland dog parks require proof of vaccination for membership or entry permits
- Travel: A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) citing current vaccinations is required by most states for interstate pet travel
- New vet visits: Maryland's high disease burden means your new vet will want complete vaccination and screening history to assess risk
- Military PCS moves: Fort Meade, Aberdeen Proving Ground, and Joint Base Andrews families need organized records for base veterinary services
- Bite incidents: Maryland law requires rabies vaccination documentation; unvaccinated animals face extended quarantine
Last verified: August 30, 2026. Vaccination recommendations are guidelines from AAHA and AAFP; always consult your Maryland veterinarian for your pet's specific needs. This page is informational — talk to your vet about your pet's health.