Feline Vaccine Shortage FAQs

Feline parvo is highly contagious and potentially fatal in unvaccinated felines. Cat flu, similar to a human cold, is highly contagious and, while usually not serious in healthy adult cats, can lead to severe respiratory disease and be fatal, particularly in vulnerable populations like very young kittens.

The shortage coincides with “kitten season,” a time of the year between spring and autumn when the birth rate of cats increases significantly, posing a heightened risk to kittens, the most vulnerable population

The scarcity is attributed to various factors:

• Repurposing of vaccine manufacturing factories for Covid vaccines during the pandemic.
• Batch failures reported by some suppliers due to manufacturing errors.
• Increased demand for vaccines as cat/kitten ownership surged during the pandemic.

All cat vaccines in Australia are manufactured overseas.

Some clinics have depleted their vaccine supplies, leading to rationing based on advice from the Australian Veterinary Association. Priority is given to vaccinating the most vulnerable felines, primarily kittens.

If you can’t find a vet with vaccines, keep your kitten indoors and away from roaming cats until vaccine supplies are replenished.

If unable to get a booster due to the shortage, keep your cat indoors and away from other cats. Continue regular health check-ups with your vet, especially for older cats.

Indoor-only cats with regular yearly vaccines are well-covered against core vaccine diseases, reducing the risk of contracting diseases even without a booster during the shortage.

Check cattery quarantine procedures if you can’t obtain a booster. Consider alternatives like having someone stay in your home for cat care.

For Animal Aid boarding customers, our teams will be contacting booked in cats to ensure their last vaccination falls within 15 months of their stay and to consider obtaining a vaccine as soon as possible.

Customers making bookings will also be advised to do this. The Animal Aid clinic will not be able to assist with vaccination.

Unvaccinated emergency accommodation cats will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

The situation is evolving, with an estimate of improvement in supply by March next year.

We’re making necessary adjustments to our vaccination and adoption procedures for cats. Your understanding is crucial as we prioritise the well-being of our feline friends. We’re committed to maintaining the high standard of care for our cats and have the follow mitigation plan in place.

Welfare Cattery – Cats over 4 months old:

• Cats over 4 months won’t get vaccinated upon arrival but will be health checked, tested for FIV, dewormed, and given flea treatment.

• One vaccine will be provided to all kittens 8 weeks of age to 4 months, all mother cats, all pregnant queens and all FIV positive cats.

• Vaccinated and unvaccinated cats will be housed separately when possible.
• Some cats will be transferred from Gippsland shelters to Coldstream for overflow support.
• Unvaccinated adult cats will follow the normal adoption process, including desexing and other veterinary care.
• Adopters of unvaccinated cats will be informed about the reasons, risks, and risk mitigation.
• Records of adopted unvaccinated cats will be kept for follow-up vaccinations, with the first one provided free of charge.
• Testing for unvaccinated cats with unknown history is available at the adopter’s expense ($460, results in 21 working days).

Welfare Kittens:

• Kittens will ideally be fostered within 24 hours of arrival.
• One vaccine will be provided to all kittens 8 weeks of age to 4 months.
• Health checks for fostered kittens may be done via video.
• Neonate policy remains in place.

General Measures:

• Efforts to reduce surrenders and active cat trapping to stretch vaccine supply and minimise shelter disease risk.
• Animal Aid Veterinary Clinic will no longer book cat vaccinations in the private clinic, focusing on booster vaccinations for those completing their initial course.

Surrender of adult cats is restricted without proof of vaccination in the last two years. Kittens under six months are accepted if shelter capacity allows, with surrenders by appointment only.

Yes, vaccinated, desexed, and microchipped cats and kittens are available for adoption. View them online at Animal Aid’s adoption page.

Unvaccinated adult cats will follow the normal adoption process, including desexing and other veterinary care. Adopters of unvaccinated cats will be informed about the reasons, risks, and risk mitigation.

We will provide FREE catch-up vaccinations once stock becomes available.

We cherish our community, and what truly uplifts us is the steadfast support we receive during challenging moments from our tight-knit network.

You can help us by:

• Following vaccination advice
• Keep up-to-date with your vet visits
• Ensuring your cats are desexed and microchipped
• Adopting
• Fostering
• Letting others in the community know about the situation and encouraging people to keep their cats indoors