Vaccinations for Canines & Felines

Rabies for Cats and Dogs

Rabies vaccination is required by law in most areas, but it is also crucial for the safety of both the animal and the community. Rabies is almost always fatal once contracted and can be transmitted to humans, making this vaccine particularly important for rescue animals.

Schedule: Rabies vaccinations can be administered to both cats and dogs starting at 12 weeks of age. However, the timing may vary slightly depending on the product used by your veterinary clinic.

Duration: If this is the animal’s first Rabies vaccination, the shot will protect for one year. If the animal has a record of a prior Rabies vaccine, the next dose will be valid for three years.

Importance: Keeping up with Rabies vaccinations ensures legal compliance and protects both the animal and potential adopters from this deadly disease.

FVRCP for Cats (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)

Cats in rescue environments are at heightened risk for contracting viral diseases, making the FVRCP vaccine a critical component of their health care. This combination vaccine protects against three serious viruses, all of which can spread rapidly in multi-cat settings.

Schedule: Vaccination can begin as early as six weeks of age. It is administered every 3-4 weeks until the kitten reaches 16 weeks of age.

Duration: The final vaccine is effective for one year after receiving it after 16 weeks. Subsequent vaccines, typically administered annually, may last one year, three years, or longer based on the veterinarian’s recommendation and the cat’s lifestyle.

Importance: Regular vaccination protects against upper respiratory infections and life-threatening diseases like panleukopenia (often called “feline distemper”), which can be devastating in rescue populations.

DA2P for Dogs (Distemper, Adenovirus-2, Parvovirus)

In canine rescues, the DA2P vaccine is vital for preventing severe illnesses that can quickly spread among puppies and adult dogs.

Schedule: Puppies should receive their first DA2P vaccination as early as six weeks old, with repeat vaccinations every 3-4 weeks until they are 16 weeks of age.

Duration: After 16 weeks, this vaccine is good for one year. After that, a veterinarian will decide if future vaccines should be given annually or every three years, depending on the dog’s health and lifestyle.

Importance: This vaccine protects against parvovirus and distemper, both of which are highly contagious and potentially fatal. Given the close quarters of rescue facilities, vaccination is essential for keeping these illnesses under control.

Bordetella for Dogs (Kennel Cough)

Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease commonly seen in shelters and rescue groups, where dogs often come into close contact with one another.

Schedule: Bordetella vaccinations can be given to puppies as early as eight weeks of age.

Duration: A single intranasal dose is effective for six months.

Importance: Preventing kennel cough helps keep your rescue dogs healthy and reduces the risk of infectious outbreaks, ensuring faster recoveries and smoother transitions to adoptive homes.

FELV for Cats (Feline Leukemia Virus)

Cats in rescue environments are at heightened risk for contracting viral diseases, making the FELV vaccine a critical component of their health care. This vaccine protects against feline leukemia, which can spread easily in multi-cat settings. It can also be spread from a mother cat to her kittens in utero.

Schedule: A negative FELV test is required prior to vaccination after 12 weeks of age. A single vaccine is administered and then a booster vaccine is given 3-4 weeks later.

Duration: The final vaccine is effective for one year after the booster vaccine. Subsequent vaccines, typically administered annually, may last one or two years, based on the veterinarian’s recommendation and the cat’s lifestyle.

Importance: Not all cats that are exposed to FELV may become ill. However, some cats can develop severe and even fatal illness, such as anemia or cancer. Vaccination is recommended in the first year of a cat’s life, then yearly or every other year depending on their risk factors for contracting the disease (indoor/outdoor, living with an FELV positive cat).

Leptospirosis for Dogs

Leptospirosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Leptospira interrogans that most commonly affects dogs, but can also be transmitted to people. The disease is highly contagious and is transmitted from either direct contact or ingestion of infected urine and tissue or through contact with infected water, soil, bedding or food. Once considered an optional vaccine, it is now recommended as a core vaccination for all dogs starting at 12 weeks old.

Schedule: A single 4-way vaccine (protecting against L. canicola, L. grippotyphosa, L. icterohaemorrhagiae and L. pomona) is administered and then a booster vaccine is given 3-4 weeks later.

Duration: The final vaccine is effective for one year after the booster vaccine. Subsequent vaccines are administered annually.

Importance: Leptospirosis can cause very severe to fatal disease of the liver and kidneys, as well as vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), and disease of the GI tract, lungs, pancreas and eyes. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from dogs to people. However, most cases of human leptospirosis is a result of contact with contaminated water, rather than direct contact with infected dogs.

We recommend deworming every two weeks until at least 12 weeks of age or until they have a negative fecal result.

We also recommend starting on monthly flea/tick/heartworm preventatives as early as the product is labeled. (Usually, the earliest age is labeled between 6-12 weeks).

Why Preventative Care Matters for Rescue Animals

Rescue animals often come from situations where they haven’t received the proper medical attention. This makes a structured and timely vaccination and preventive care plan critical. Ensuring animals are fully vaccinated and protected against common parasites gives them the best chance of thriving in their new homes.

By adhering to these vaccine schedules and preventive care guidelines, rescue groups can provide healthier, more adoptable animals to loving families. Not only does this improve the welfare of individual animals, but it also helps prevent the spread of contagious diseases within your rescue facility, ultimately saving time, resources, and lives.

In addition, many adopters appreciate knowing that the animals they are bringing into their homes are already up-to-date on their vaccines and preventative care. This can give your rescue group a reputation for providing well-cared-for animals, encouraging more people to adopt and support your cause.