Most states DO honor the Compendium of Animal Rabies Control in one way or
another, but in some states local officials make the final decision rather
than it being made at the state level, and not all local officials care to
change policy to match data.  Plus, in some others there needs to be a
legislative change to formally change policy to honor the Compendium and
the data behind it.  If you aren't sure where your state stands then write
to your state's Public Health Veterinarians in charge of rabies policy.
Locations vary but they usually are in the Health Dept., and someone there
should be able to help you find where they are if not there since they'd
have to interact.  No matter what the fine print may be in your state you
need to have those rabies shots given (by a vet) and to have the proof of
vaccination just in case to protect your sweet cuddle-muffins.  Why?  Look
in http://www.avma.org and find the three sections of the Compendium of
Animal Rabies Control; reading the text in full will explain more clearly
than anything why you need those vaccinations!
[Posted in FML issue 2759]