Vaccination of shelter dogs and cats

WSAVA guideline

Key findings

• Three programme components: vaccinate all at admission; use rapid-protection vaccines; start juveniles at 1 month of age and repeat every 2 to 3 weeks while in the shelter until 5 months of age (VGG 2024, §Shelters).
• Susceptible intake: most juveniles <6 months and 30–50% of adult dogs and cats lack antibody to these viruses on admission (USA data); up to 37% of kittens (fewer puppies) have MDA interference beyond 4 months → continuation to 5 months and two doses 2–3 weeks apart for animals ≥5 months (VGG 2024, §Shelters; Tables 3–4).
• Core for shelter dogs: MLV CDV+CAV+CPV+CPiV parenteral (or recombinant CDV + MLV CAV/CPV/CPiV) plus intranasal Bordetella+CPiV — pet non-core, shelter core (VGG 2024, §Shelters; Table 3).
• Core for shelter cats: parenteral MLV FPV+FHV+FCV; intranasal FPV not recommended in shelters (unreliable); IN FHV+FCV faster onset (4–6 days) (VGG 2024, Table 4).
• Entry rules: vaccinate ALL intakes on admission — stray, surrendered, quarantined, cruelty-case, pregnant/lactating, mildly ill, TNR/RTF; "if a dog or cat cannot be safely vaccinated on admission with the modified-live core vaccines, the risk for infection is too great for that animal to stay in the shelter"; never restrict vaccination to adoptable animals (susceptible pool, costlier outbreaks) (VGG 2024, §Shelters).
• Bordetella mucosal: IN from 3 weeks, single dose at intake (MDA-proof); oral from 7–8 weeks — IN for younger dogs (VGG 2024, §Shelters; Table 3).
• Rabies (endemic regions only): per local law for minimum age; at discharge (short-stay) or at admission (long-stay/sanctuaries) (VGG 2024, Tables 3–4).
• Outbreaks: IN Bordetella for cats with confirmed B. bronchiseptica pneumonia — give to all cats ≥1 month old on admission for several months (population immunity); C. felis vaccine may join confirmed-disease control; same-day vaccinate-and-neuter acceptable (VGG 2024, §Shelters).

Drugs named in WSAVA’s own guideline text

As printed in WSAVA’s document, not this app’s own extracted data — see “Related drugs in this reference” below for that.

• (Dog)

  MLV for rapid onset

• (Dog)

  Immunity 3–7 days

• (Dog)

  IN for younger dogs

• (Dog & cat)

  Endemic countries only

• (Cat)

  Parenteral MLV FPV essential

• (Cat)

  IN FPV NOT recommended

Recommendations

• Core MLV vaccination of every animal at admission (incl. pregnant, mildly ill)

  Core (shelter)

• Juvenile core vaccination every 2–3 weeks until 5 months; adults (≥5 months) two doses 2–3 weeks apart

  Core (shelter, precautionary principle)

• Bordetella (IN preferred) + CPiV for all shelter dogs from 3 weeks

  Core (shelter); Non-core in pets

• Parenteral MLV FPV for cats (IN FPV unreliable)

  Core (shelter)

• Rabies at discharge (short-stay) or admission (long-stay) per law in endemic regions

  Core (regional) + legal

• IN Bordetella for all cats ≥1 month old during confirmed B. bronchiseptica outbreaks

  Non-core (outbreak control)

Related drugs in this reference (0)

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