Responsible pet owners carry their dogs and cats to the vet each year for a rabies vaccine. That trip can not only be costly, but can also put your pets at risk.

The bill was passed yesterday by the Alabama House. It allows pet owners to take their animals to the vet for vaccinations once every three years rather than every year. Vaccination requirements for pets in Alabama are now keeping up with the times.

Dr. Kirk Holland with Care Animal Center said, "We have been the hold out, there were just AL and AK to recognize the three year vaccination and one concern was the prevalence of rabies and hopefully we won't see an increase in rabies in domestic pets."

Pet owners will still need to vaccinate their pets to create a barrier between domestic animals and wildlife.

Dr. Holland said, “We feel, and most vets feel, it's better for the pet- less vaccination is better because it is a medical procedure with risks and so if we can give it less frequently that would be better."

One shot every three years, as opposed to one every year. The new law decreases trips to the vet, but not the amount of protection your pets are walking around with.

Dr. Holland said, "Vaccines are tested as to how long they are proven to protect and with rabies they've been tested and one is for one year and one is for three years and that is what this legislation recognizes."

As far as the veterinarian’s bottom line, they say it won't affect them much because this three year vaccine is more costly than the one year vaccine.

The bill is now on Governor Bob Riley's desk for final approval. With the landslide, unanimous vote in favor of the bill by the house though, the governor is sure to throw his support behind this legislation as well.

The new legislation also requires that ferrets also receive rabies shots.