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Adopted cat - how do I know it she's vaccinated?

10 replies

mydoorisalwaysopen · 11/12/2012 22:11

I have recently adopted a cat from the local animal sanctuary but they had no idea whether she was vaccinated. Is there any way of finding out?

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Lonecatwithkitten · 12/12/2012 00:21

If you have no evidence of vaccination the cheapest way is to start over.
Yes you can do titre blood tests, but in truth these are considerably more expensive than a vaccination course.
I would suggest your vets do an in house FeLV and FIV snap test if the rescue have not done this.
Very unusual for good rescue to have not vaccinated a cat before rehoming.

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Snazzyfeelingfestive · 12/12/2012 00:33

Yes they usually do vaccinations. The answer is - you can't know so you have to get them done. Go back to the shelter and ask if they can access a discount for you since you have only just adopted her.

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cozietoesie · 12/12/2012 06:48

Very unusual indeed. Most will ensure that an animal is fully vaccinated and neutered as a matter of course - and some even microchip. To the point where I would always assume that an animal from a sanctuary has got all their shots. I'm clearly wrong to think that it seems - maybe hard times in the sanctuary world are causing economies.

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Maximilimum · 12/12/2012 07:07

There is no way of finding out, unless you have a vax certificate.
It's best to get the course started again.
Some rescues will have them vaxed before rehoming, but not all can afford it.

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FatherReboolaConundrum · 12/12/2012 12:59

"Very unusual indeed. Most will ensure that an animal is fully vaccinated and neutered as a matter of course - and some even microchip."

We wanted to rehome a cat from the RSPCA a very large animal rescue charity. He hadn't been neutered. Sadly, he had to be PTS before we could adopt him. So we rehomed another of their cats, who had been in their care for at least a couple of months. Not only hasn't she been spayed, but the fosterer had forgotten to take her for her booster vaccinations so she has to start her vaccinations all over again. And her skin condition hadn't been properly looked after, so she's had to have treatment for that as well. Useless bastards.

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cozietoesie · 12/12/2012 13:08

Dreadful, FatherReboola. At least she's got a loving home now.

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cozietoesie · 12/12/2012 13:14

Maybe it's mainly a question of money these days. I know it's tight for everyone; charities especially.

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FatherReboolaConundrum · 12/12/2012 16:00

Yes, she does cozie, and she knows it. It's amazing how fast cats can go from being scared of you to trying to force you off your pillow so they can sleep on it instead

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mydoorisalwaysopen · 12/12/2012 22:12

Thanks for all the replies. I was confused by online advice re false positives etc if you test for vaccinations and didn't realise you could jsut start again. The sanctuary specifically told me that they did not know her vaccination history and that they had not vaccinated her. But they did microchip her and they do make sure all animals are neutered/speyed before rehoming. It probably is a question of resources.

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cozietoesie · 13/12/2012 07:23

Yep - I've had to start over again (twice - with two different adult cats who came to me) who had a hazy history of vaccination. Worked out fine with both.