Cat vaccination shortage

Animal Welfare Victoria (AWV) is aware of the current vaccine shortages for cats, and the challenge this is posing for:

shelter and pound facilities that must comply with requirements under the Code of Practice for the Management of Dogs and Cats in Shelters and Pounds (the S&P Code), and
boarding facilities (including catteries) that must comply with requirements under the Code of Practice for the Operations of Boarding Establishments (Boarding Code)
breeders that must comply with the Code of Practice for the Operation of Breeding and Rearing Businesses or the equivalent Code of Ethics with their relevant applicable organisation.

Vaccine suppliers have confirmed the issue is being effectively managed with some supply available in the latter part of 2023, before normalising in early 2024.

It is not expected that shelters and pounds continue holding cats until vaccines are again available. To ensure cats do not spend unnecessarily long periods of time in shelter and pound environments, registered establishments and councils should work together to discuss and identify suitable alternatives to manage cats while the vaccine shortage persists.

Vaccination is just one tool when managing disease spread in establishments; other tools, such as biosecurity practices, should be reviewed to ensure appropriate and practical risk management. Establishments are encouraged to work with a veterinarian to ensure best practice management is in place.

Advice for registered animal shelters and pounds

To support effective cat management and welfare outcomes during the vaccine shortage, shelters and pounds are encouraged to identify suitable strategies to manage cats that cannot meet vaccination requirements under the S&P Code.

Establishments should determine which of the following options is most suitable for cats in or entering their care:

Directing veterinarians servicing shelter and pound facilities to follow advice provided by the Australian Veterinary Association (i.e. prioritise kittens and delay adult boosters if possible).
Prioritise vaccinating at-risk animals (e.g. those that are completely unvaccinated).
Having an agreement in place with owners/adopters requiring them to:
- vaccinate the cat/s at their own vet as soon as practical, or
- bring cat back to the shelter/pound facility for vaccination as soon as practical, AND
- declare an acknowledgement that the cat is not vaccinated upon release.

Note: If an agreement is determined as the most suitable option for a pound or shelter establishment, the agreement drafting should acknowledge whatever terms have been agreed between both parties, to the satisfaction of both parties.

Whatever option is decided upon, businesses must keep animal records up to date, to ensure all relevant information can be supplied to local council if required (especially if discretion is needed by the relevant council regarding compliance with the S&P Code).

Advice for registered boarding establishments

For registered boarding establishments, concerns must be raised directly with the relevant local council as the registering and regulating authority.

To support effective cat management and welfare outcomes during the vaccine shortage, boarding establishments and councils should discuss and identify suitable alternatives for cats and cat owners wishing to utilise boarding services. Veterinary advice should also be sought prior to determining whether to accept unvaccinated cats into any boarding establishment.

Boarding establishments should work with their council to agree on which of the following options is most suitable for cats entering their care:

Acceptance of cats vaccinated under a triennial routine
Acceptance of cats overdue for their next vaccination booster by a small margin
Seeking veterinary advice on whether unvaccinated cats can be safely boarded in isolation from other cats
Provision of paperwork to an owner requesting acknowledgement of a potentially higher risk of illness and disease when boarding an unvaccinated cat
Implementing enhanced biosecurity measures, such as vet checks upon arrival (or record of pre-arrival vet check from owner), increased cleaning and disinfection routines, as well as increased monitoring for any illness or symptoms throughout a cat’s stay
Refusal to accept cats not up to date with their vaccination regime.

Councils are encouraged to work with their registered boarding establishments to identify suitable strategies to manage cats that cannot meet vaccination requirements under the Boarding Code, particularly with the upcoming holiday period.

Advice for cat breeders

Breeders of cats must raise concerns with their regulating authority. Domestic Animal Businesses should correspond directly with their local council, and recreational breeders should discuss their options with their Applicable Organisation.

Breeders with kittens through the vaccine shortage period should review their biosecurity measures for the protection of their unvaccinated kittens. Breeders are encouraged to discuss their biosecurity practices with their veterinarian.

Breeders should determine which options is most suitable for their cats, kittens, and new owners:

Pausing breeding practices over the Christmas period
Providing a written statement to new buyers that the kittens are not vaccinated/partially vaccinated, and measures the new owner can take to safeguard the kitten until fully vaccinated
Having an agreement with the new owner that the kitten will need to be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible to be vaccinated.

Whatever option is decided upon, businesses must keep animal records up to date, to ensure all relevant information can be supplied to local council or the relevant applicable organisation if required (especially if discretion is needed by the relevant council or applicable organisation regarding compliance with the relevant Code of Practice or Code of Ethics).

Page last updated: 09 Jan 2024