Must kittens have their vaccination before moving to a new home ??

StefanZ said:

As she is apparently no real breeder.

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Over 200 kittens suggests they are "real breeders" I've not bred anywhere near that amount of kittens with 4 registered queens.

I do wish the best for everybody involved, and I hope the kittens make it to their new homes healthy. But 10 weeks without even one de-worming. . .I'm not optimistic. The kittens I've ended up with who went that long without vet care have all been rather sickly and needed a lot of vetting to be healthy. I do hope it works out though.

If someone can't afford to provide basic vet care, they certainly shouldn't be breeding.

I've helped removed, resocialized, rehomed five cats (domestic short hair, no breeds) from a cat colony who were abandoned by in(humane) owners. not counting Ritz.  They are purfectly lovely and lovable and loving cats.

Unless we were 100% positive about the potential adoptor, we don't release cats without first being s/n.

There is a legitimate argument about charging a nominal fee to weed out the sickos.   You can always then donate the money to a cat rescue group.

 The organization I volunteer for (not connected with the rehoming) says:  if you can't afford the cost of adoption, you can't afford a vet and can't afford a pet.  They charge abut $120, but that includes all shots and s/neutering.

In so far as the original question--vaccinations:  because of a really bad experience in vaccinating a malnourished cat, I would wait a week or two before vaccinating.  If you have any other cat, however, I would certainly get the new cat tested immediately for FIV/FELK, and thereafter isolate.

And, schedule a spay/neuter appointment.

I actually thought about asking for a re homing fee for the boys when they go to their homes, but I am also going to be deflea-ing and deworming before they go at the least, and I am going to be looking at get their first set of shots before they go. But the stipulation to getting the kitten is that the adopter has to set up an appointment for them to be fixed, and that point I will be dropping them off at the vet, and then their new owners will be picking them up from there, to ensure that they at least have a vet visit and are fixed. 

I also toyed around with the idea of asking the adopters to make a donation to a local shelter here as their "re-homing fee". 

Because as it has been said many times in this post a serious adopter will pay 25-50 for a re-homing fee, sometimes more, if they have been de-flead, dewormed, shots and fixed. 

I'm on the fence about this, I have been reading this as it had been going, I agree with everyone! As crazy as that sounds, but I do and I see ever side of this. Sophia was a feral kitty brought to be by our local animal control. I have adopted cats from shelters and have no issues what so ever. I know people that get kitties from breeders with papers, people that their cat just got pregnant (also myself), or their friends daughter's cat got pregnant so here's a kitty for your birthday! There is numerous situation people get kitties, no one should be "judge" for HOW they got theirs. 

Honestly it's the OP ultimate discussion where she gets her kitty, we are here to support each other in our journeys of being cat owners. I don't think that the OP should be looked down on because she wants to go a trusted source for her kitty. We shouldn't be hounding the OP for someone else's actions for "breeding moggies"

But that's just my two cents.

Pariscat said:

When they arrive here, they will not be let outdoor. I will have my house well heated, will give them the best food and soft kittybeds. Also I don't have small children in the house, dogs or any other "stressors".  Our neighbour's cat Futte will not be allowed to come in and visit for at leat the first week or so. And if he insists we will be watching carefully that he behaves himself towards the little ones.

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I think you are fine to wait to do their vaccines until they come home with you. It is most common in the US for people do the first round of vaccines and de-worming between 8 and 10 weeks (some as young as 6 weeks). If I'm adding correctly you would be starting them at 11 weeks which is a little late but I would still think fine, especially given the circumstances. 

I would be very careful though not to let Futte into the house at all until they have had all 3 rounds (or however many are given in Denmark). There is always a chance that the kittens have an illness and you don't want to risk infecting him, and conversely, because he is allowed outdoors there is always a chance he could pick something up and pass it to them. It's best to keep them fully separate until the kittens are fully vaccinated. 

Your friend is absolutely right that the stress of a move can bring on symptoms of an underlying illness, but it won't give them an illness that they don't already have/aren't exposed to. I don't think there would be anything wrong with asking the woman adopting them to you to take them to get their shots earlier (or allow you to take them and bring them back) if you are more comfortable with that. It's not an unreasonable request by any means. But, I don't think it will be detrimental to their health to wait. Also, I would go ahead and do the de-worming as your vet suggested- it's pretty standard practice to just go ahead and de-worm all kittens. 

I do not know much about the Denmark culture so I will refrain (mostly) from commenting on the debate happening here. I totally understand the "good faith payment" to ensure that you are a serious adopter and respect that. You seem very comfortable with your adoption choice and that is all that really matters. It also seems to me that you are committed to following through with their vet care. So long as all that is done the details of who takes care of it are irrelevant. Whether she is a "backyard breeder" or not is also irrelevant- the kittens are in the world now and need a home same as any shelter cat would. There is no reason why that shouldn't be with you!

I think all some of the other posters are trying to do is to educate you on what the standard practice is. That way, if you were feeling uneasy about any of it you would have some information to go to the adopter with. But, since that's not the case it's essentially a moot point. Although, I think that this thread is good because there may be other people in a similar situation who are having questions on what the standard practice is, and this will really help them to decide what path to take. As the saying goes, "if the shoe fits wear it, if not, throw it away." It may not be applicable in your case but it may really help someone else! 

You didnt say what gender you kittens are, but be sure you have them spayed and/or neutered as soon as possible. In the US the standard is to do it between 10-12 weeks, so long as the kitten is at least 2 pounds and otherwise healthy. Kittens can reach sexual maturity as young as 4 months (16 weeks) and won't recognize a sibling relationship. So, if you have one of each they WILL mate with each other. Early spay and neuter also decreases behavioral issues such as spraying, which are hard habits to break once they start. And, the younger the kitten the quicker they tend to bounce back from the surgery. All benefits to making sure they are altered in a timely fashion! 

I hope all goes well with the adoption and look forward to seeing pictures of your babies once you get them home. Congratulations and welcome to TCS! 

Oh, my !

Thanks, EB 24. They are 2 boys and they WILL be castrated before they start their lives as outdoor cat. Yes. I DO know about the feline sexual maturity.

. For general info: I HAVE had cats before, also from a private home , which is actually how most people get kittens here, I believe. Also I HAVE visited my kittens twice and everything is perfectly normal and respectable. Geez !!!!! Lena is just a totally normal woman who likes cats !!! She is not a "backalley breeder", sorry but I resent that comment - who ever made it.

So rest assured, I am NOT supporting Cruella de Ville.

Well it's backyard breeder, someone intentionally breeding unregistered cats. Which is what's happening here.

Wonderful you at least plan to neuter before allowing them outdoors, better would be to keep them indoors or have an enclosure so they can safely go outside. 

YOU HAVE ALL BEEN POLITELY ASKED TWICE TO STAY ON TOPIC -  IF IT CARRIES ON YOU LEAVE US NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO REMOVE YOUR POSTS

IF YOU WANT TO CARRY ON THE SUBJECT ABOUT BYB ETC..., PLEASE START A NEW THREAD.

Hi Pariscat,

l got my last kitten at 2 days under 11 weeks old, at my request (he was supposed to leave with the rest of the litter at 12 weeks).

He had only 1 vaccination when l got him, but if l had waited to get him at 12 weeks old, he would have had his second shot within the week of leaving.

So instead, he had his second shot within a week of coming here to live with me. lt had no ill effects either way, as l'm in touch via Facebook with 4 owners of his 6 siblings, and they're all thriving beautifully.

As to the worming, here in Canada, we treat without testing, but can test before or after treatments if the owner prefers. Some places l believe, test first and treat if necessary. l don't know about Denmark, but you might want to save time by taking in a stool sample from each kitty.

The Carrots are gorgeous, by the way. l'm looking forward to more pictures 

Thanks Andrya. I have talked to the vet clinic today and the vet on duty said that if they are eating well and lively, there is risk by waiting. And even if they got a worm treatment now, they would still need a renewed worm treatment, after they have moved into my house.

Yes, kittens should be de- wormed as a routine procedure, my vet agrees to that , and they always are here. The poo analysis is only done with horses, I believe.

Soooo..... I have texted the kittymom if she will please call the vet for a prescription for the first worm pill treatmet and give it to them now.

Hope that restores my good name as a responsible kitten adopter .

Pariscat said:

What is a BYB ?? Sorry for not knowing the lingo. I would not want an abandoned shelter cat, sorry to sound harsh. Cats that get handed in to shelters have more often than not been neglected, maltreated or have been in accidents.
My kittymom does not " run" a cattery. Yes I have paid 500 DKK for the pair of them, which was actually the reason for choosing her. Charging money for kittens keep away those buyers who are not seriously ready to accept the expenses that go with owning a pet. Also to me charging money means that it is not just a question of "getting rid of" the kittens.

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I have 3 cats that were rescues. You are selling rescue and shelter cats short here. These beautiful cats did nothing wrong, they just happened to be the product of irresponsible people that didn't neuter and spay and allowed the cats to breed. I can't speak for the shelters there but I'd be surprised if there weren't a variety of kittens available from any rescue group or shelter. Kittens that will be euthanized if they can't find homes. Adopting a shelter or rescue cat saves a life. 

Fourth Reminder: Stay on topic in this thread. Do not continue to post about rescue and back yard breeding. The member who started this thread asked Must kittens have their vaccinations before moving to a new home. Read the title and post your answers to the question. Continual posting off subject will result in some serious editing of your posts as Rosiemac already posted in red. Stay on topic.

Pariscat said:

Oh, my !
Thanks, EB 24. They are 2 boys and they WILL be castrated before they start their lives as outdoor cat. 

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Good for you!   I have a new little boy too- he just turned 15 weeks and is quite the handful! Hopefully your two will take all that energy out on each other! 

There is alot of boys roaming around this kitten thread!

Mother nature must like giving us boy kitties!! 

klsylvester said:

There is alot of boys roaming around this kitten thread!

Mother nature must like giving us boy kitties!! 

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Yeah this season was strange- I had 12 foster kittens total and all but 2 were male. It was also the season of the white kitten- I have never had a white foster before and this year I had 5! 

Sounds like you and Pariscat will be bonding over the joys of raising these boys after you fail and keep your rolly polly baby! 

Just out of curiosity Pariscat- do you know how much 500DKK is in US dollars (or even pounds). I don't think you said before (sorry if you did and I missed it). No reason in particular- just curious about the exchange rate. 

Thanks 

EB24 said:

Just out of curiosity Pariscat- do you know how much 500DKK is in US dollars (or even pounds). I don't think you said before (sorry if you did and I missed it). No reason in particular- just curious about the exchange rate. 

Thanks 

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$86 according to an online converter.

I can't imagine sending kittens to their new home without at minimum the first vaccination set and a clear vet exam...
Personally when I have raised (foster/rescue) kittens I also did deworming, FIV/FelV testing and microchip but those last two may vary depending on the circumstances such as if the parents were both already FIV/FelV tested negative and had no contact with other cats then the kittens should not need the testing. I also had them spayed or neutered before I adopted them out but I kept them until 12 weeks so I could be able to do that.

Hi-Pariscat

Sorry-you-had-such-a-rough-time.The-topic-of-breeders/rescues-and-declawing,generally,illicit-a-very-strong-opinion-and-discussion,just-as-the-subject-of-slaughter-generates-pretty-much-a-fistfight,on-the-horse-boards,lol.I-grew-up-on-a-show-horse-farm,and-the-information,lightly-touched-on,is-incorrect.If-one-wants-to-know-more-about-horses,please-feel-free-to-pawmail-me.

I-have-breed-cats,I-show-on-the-CFA-circuit.That-is-my-personal-choice,and-I-feel,weather-one-adopts-from-a-breeder-or-however-they-decide-to-give-a-cat/kitten-a-good-home,is-also-a-personal-choice,and-one-should-not-be-critizied-for-it.

To-anser-your-original-question......

All-kittens-have-worms,even-kittens-born-to-championship-show-parents,thats-just-how-it-is,lol,and-if-the-momma-kitty-goes-outside,she-most-likely-has-tape-worms-too.

Kittens-pick-up-immunity,per-say-from-the-momma-kitty,just-as-a-foal-must-nurse-right-away,and-get-the-colustrem,from-the-mare.Then-it-wans,per-say,hence,the-vaccinations.

Kittens-should-be-first-wormed-at-6-weeks.This-should-be-done-by-a-vet,and-they-usually-give-Drontil.At-6-weeks,they-should-also-have-the-first-round-of-shots,and-kitten-shots-are-given-in-2-parts,no-more-than-3-weeks-apart,or-they-lose-the-immunity-of-the-first-shot.With-kittens-it-is-imperative,they-be-given-only-1-shot-at-a-time,as-it-taxes-their-little-systems.

The-first-shot,first-in-a-series-of-2,will-be-what-is-commonly-referred-to,as-the-"distemper"-shot,its-the-combo-shot.

FeLV-is-feline-leukemia.To-give-the-shot,or-not,is-controversal,and-also-a-"personal"decision.It-is-also-required-for-shows.I-get-it,as-they-have-a-higher-degree-of-exposure,going-to-shows.Vets-will-also-tell-you-if-the-kitty-goes-outside,they-should-probably-get-it,but-again,its-a-personal-decision,they-would-have-a-higher-degree-of-exposure.

I-don't-know-the-requirements-of-rabies-in-your-country.In-the-US,its-required,its-the-law,and-they-will-spot-check-at-shows,by-the-Health-Dept.One-does-not-want-to-get-caught,at-a-show,without-the-certificate,lol.I-carry-the-certificate-with-me,and-they-have-their-rabies-tags-on-their-collors,when-we-travel.

As-far-as-what-your-breeder-friend-is-telling-you,which-if-I-understand-it-correctly,the-breeder-friend-and-the-lady-your-are-getting-the-kittens-from,are-2-seperate-people,lol.Its-not-the-time-frame-of-2-weeks-before-you-bring-the-kittens-home,its-the-age-of-the-kittens,that-is-important,as-far-as-vaccinations.

A-breeder-of-registered-show-cats,would-have-had-them-wormed,and-their-first-set-of-shots,before-one-would-bring-them-home,at-8-weeks,or-whatever-age-the-breeder-determines.Some-won't-let-them-go-until-they-are-12-weeks,some-16-weeks,depends-on-the-breeder.I-am-a-very-well-know-show-person,I-bring-mine-home-at-8-weeks.My-breeder-has-already-gotten-their-first-shots,and-been-wormed.

Yes,this-lady-should-get-their-first-shots-and-worming-done,but-don't-get-into-a-"fistfight"-with-her-about-it,lol,just-start-the-schedule,when-you-get-them-home,your-just-starting-a-little-late,its-not-biggie.

I-keep-my-kittens-in-the-bedroom,for-a-good-3-weeks,so-they-can-adjust-to-their-new-home,before-I-let-them-interact-with-the-other-cats,and-then-its-supervised-for-another-3-weeks,back-in-the-bedroom,when-I-am-not-home.

Weather-one-gets-a-kitten-from-a-show-breeder,with-the-top-cat-in-the-country,or-a-shelter,or-off-the-streets,is-no-guarantee,they-won't-develope-health-issues,later-in-life.Too-many-breeds,have-genetic-issues.I-had-one.Maine-Coon.In-first-place-in-his-region,at-10-months-old,diagnosed-with-HCM.He-lived-to-5-yrs-old.My-breeder-gave-me-2-kittens,his-purchase-price-back,and-when-he-passed,said-when-you-are-ready,I-will-give-you-another-kitten.

It-sounds-like-you-have-an-excellent-plan,for-when-you-bring-the-kittens-home,and-you-are-a-very-caring-and-responsible-mommy.I-wish-you-the-best-of-luck.If-you-have-any-questions,you-don't-feel-comfortable-putting-in-here,please-feel-free-to-pawmail-me.

My-boys-are-red-too!

Here-is-a-link-that-better-explains-kitten-vaccinations,and-the-schedule.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2143&aid=951

edited-to-add-their-pictures.