The following definitions apply in this Part:

(1)        Animal Control Officer. – A city or county employee whose responsibility includes animal control. The term “Animal Control Officer” also includes agents of a private organization that is operating an animal shelter under contract with a city or county whenever those agents are performing animal control functions at the shelter.

(2)        Cat. – A domestic? feline of the genus and species Felis catus.

(3)        Certified rabies vaccinator. – A person appointed and certified to administer rabies vaccine to animals in accordance with this Part.

(4)        Dog. – A domestic? canine of the genus, species, and subspecies Canis lupus familiaris.

(4a)      Feral. – An animal that is not socialized.

(4b)      Ferret. – A domestic mammal of the genus, species, and subspecies Mustela putorius furo.

(5)        Rabies vaccine. – An animal rabies vaccine licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture and approved for use in this State by the Commission.

(6)        State Public Heath Veterinarian. – A person appointed by the Secretary to direct the State public health veterinary program.

(6a)      Stray. – An animal that meets both of the following conditions:

a.         Is beyond the limits of confinement or lost.

b.         Is not wearing any tags, microchips, tattoos, or other methods of identification.

(7)        Vaccination. – The administration of rabies vaccine by a person authorized to administer it under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-185 ?(1935, c. 122, s. 1; 1949, c. 645, s. 1; 1953, c. 876, s. 1; 1957, c. 1357, s. 3; 1973, c. 476, s. 128; 1983, c. 891, s. 2; 2009-304, s. 2; 2009-327, s. 1.)