Ashley V,
Virginia state law does not require annual rabies boosters. I just got off the phone from speaking with Virginia's State Public Health Veterinarian, and the law only requires that dogs and cats be "currently vaccinated" and if they have been vaccinated with a 3 year rabies vaccine licensed by the USDA, they are "current" for 3 years and do not have to be booster any more often than once every 3 years.
Dr. Murphy's phone number is below and she said she would be happy to speak with any Virginia pet owner or veterinarian who would like clarification on this matter.
Kris
Julia Murphy, DVM, MS, DACVPM - State Public Health Veterinarian Phone: (804) 864-8141
VIRGINIA CODE Title 3.2 Section 3.2-6521 LIS > Code of Virginia > 3.2-6521
§ 3.2-6521. (Effective October 1, 2008) Rabies inoculation of dogs and domesticated cats; availability of certificate; rabies clinics.
A. The owner or custodian of all dogs and domesticated cats four months of age
and older shall have them currently vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician who is under the immediate and direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian on the premises. The supervising veterinarian on the premises shall provide the owner of the dog or the custodian of the domesticated cat with a certificate of vaccination. The owner of the dog or the custodian of the domesticated cat shall furnish within a reasonable period of time, upon the request of an animal control officer, humane investigator, law-enforcement officer, State Veterinarian's representative, or official of the Department of Health, the certificate of vaccination for such dog or cat. The vaccine used shall be licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for use in that species.
B. Rabies clinics, approved by the appropriate health department and governing body, shall be held at least once per year when the governing body finds that the number of resident veterinarians is otherwise inadequate to meet the need.
(1984, c. 492, § 29-213.67; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.97; 1988, c. 538, § 3.1-796.97:1; 1992, c. 294; 1993, c. 817; 1994, c. 636; 1996, c. 351; 1998, c. 817; 2006, c. 836; 2008, c. 860.)