Smart Science, Healthier Pets: Why Titer Testing is the Future of Rabies Protocols in Summit County
We all want the same thing for our pets: long, happy, and healthy lives. We also all want a safe community, free from the threat of rabies.
For decades, the standard approach to achieve both goals has been mandatory, repetitive rabies vaccinations. And for young, healthy animals, this protocol has worked wonders.
But what happens when your loyal companion gets older? What if your dog is battling cancer, managing an autoimmune disorder, or is medically fragile?
Suddenly, that “routine” booster shot isn’t so routine. It becomes a source of anxiety. You are forced to choose between complying with an outdated county ordinance and potentially jeopardizing the fragile health of the animal you love.
It doesn’t have to be this way. There is a science-based tool that protects public safety and the health of our most vulnerable pets: The Titer Test.
Here is why we are petitioning Summit County to modernize our animal ordinances, and why we need your help.
What is a Titer Test? (The Science Made Simple)
A titer (pronounced tie-ter) is not a vaccine alternative; it is proof of immunity.
When your pet is vaccinated, their immune system creates antibodies to fight off the virus. A titer is a simple blood test that measures the level of those existing antibodies in your pet’s system right now.
Think of it like the gas gauge in your car. You don’t keep overfilling the tank just in case; you check the gauge to see if you have enough fuel to get to your destination. A titer test is checking your pet’s “immunity gauge.”
If the antibody levels meet the recognized threshold (0.5 IU/mL—the same standard used by the CDC and for international travel), your pet is currently protected against rabies.
[Keep scrolling to see how this helps our community.]
The Lifeline for Fragile and Senior Pets
This is the heart of the issue. Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system. For a healthy dog, this is fine.
However, for a senior dog, or a pet with a compromised immune system (due to chronic illness, cancer treatment, or autoimmune diseases), their system is already under immense stress. Asking an overworked immune system to respond to an unnecessary vaccine booster can trigger adverse reactions and severe health setbacks.
If a pet is already immune, an additional shot offers zero added protection—it only adds risk.
By accepting titer tests, we allow veterinarians and pet owners to make medical decisions based on the individual health of the animal, rather than a one-size-fits-all calendar.
Zero Risk to Public Safety
The most common question we hear is: “Does allowing titers put our community at risk for rabies?”
The definitive answer is NO.
A dog with a passing titer test is, by scientific definition, protected against rabies.
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A protected dog cannot contract rabies.
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A protected dog cannot transmit rabies.
It does not matter if that protection comes from a shot given yesterday or a shot given three years ago that is still working effectively. The presence of protection is what matters for public safety.
Accepting titers isn’t lowering our standards; it’s using better technology to verify them. It ensures that every animal considered “compliant” in Summit County is genuinely protected against the virus.
The Current Law is Outdated. Let’s Fix It.
Right now, Summit County ordinances do not recognize this crucial medical tool. This leaves many pet owners in Kamas and Park City in a difficult legal and medical gray area.
We are not anti-vaccine; we are pro-science and pro-health. We believe our local laws should reflect modern veterinary understanding.
We need the Summit County Board of Health to recognize the CDC-standard Titer test as valid proof of current rabies immunity.
We Need Your Voice. Take 60 Seconds to Help.
Your neighbors in Kamas and Park City are already mobilizing. If you believe medical decisions should be made between a vet and a pet owner based on science, please join us.
Help protect the longevity of our beloved senior pets without compromising public safety.
[Scan the QR Code on our flyers or click the link below to sign the petition.]
👉 [LINK TO PETITION: Sign Now to Modernize Summit County Pet Laws] 👈
Together, we can advocate for smarter, science-based animal ordinances.
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