Question on shots and stuff

We recently took in a cat that is 11 months old. I was told by the previous owner that he is up to date on all of his shots and such, BUT somewhere along the line of her removing it from her apartment to her mother's house, the paper work for this information got lost.

(FYI, the previous owner got the cat from a Petco that hosts a shelter. I was going to suggest she contact the Petco or if she remembers the shelter's name contact them to see if they have any copies of the records, BUT apparently she's more angry that the papers were lost and well, I don't want to get into the middle of a family issue). I have taken the liberty of contacting some of the shelters in her area to find out if they know of the cat, but unfortunately I haven't been successful so far.

Whitey (the cat) is neutered, so thank goodness I won't have to pay for that. But I'm wondering, if the records are not found, will I have to go to the vet to get all of his shots done again?

Do you have reason to believe that Whitey isn't up to date on all of his shots? I know he would need his rabies tag for all sorts of reasons, but if everything else is just a matter of paperwork and Whitey really has all his shots, I don't see why he needs them again? You know he got them at the shelter, and he is neutered, so I wouldn't make him get more shots?

Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

Do you have reason to believe that Whitey isn't up to date on all of his shots? I know he would need his rabies tag for all sorts of reasons, but if everything else is just a matter of paperwork and Whitey really has all his shots, I don't see why he needs them again? You know he got them at the shelter, and he is neutered, so I wouldn't make him get more shots?

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It's not that I don't trust that he's not up to date, its just since this is the first time I've ever experienced this, I don't want to get a fast one pulled on me at the vet (i.e. "Oh, no proof that he's up-to-date with his shots? Let's give him another round!") when I really don't need to. I figure now is the time to ask before I take him in for his rabies shots!

Oh and before i forget, I moved since the last time I took any of the cats to the vet. I dearly loved that vet, but its a 45 minute drive for me. So I most likely will be taking the cats someplace closer and new.

when you get to the vet ask them to tetter the blood to se if there is immunity

In my area all cats that have been through a shelter (especially Petco/Humane Society) have tattoos that are easily traced and that would lead to info. Check her belly.

If the cat is only 11 months old and was adopted from a shelter, cats coming from shelters are required to be UTD on shots and spayed and neutered.

If the cat isn't even a year then he should be fine with shots. I think you need rabies tags but that is about it. Shot vaccines last for years so I wouldn't worry about it unless you go to the vet and they require proof or if you had to board them at a kennel.

I would get the rabies vaccine since I think that is required and leave it at that until the vet brings it up. Is he going to be an indoor cat? I only vaccinated indoor cats once or twice and that is it. They are now 7, 4 and 3 years old, strictly indoors and only vaccinated once or twice the first years.

Not to jack this thread, but everyone keeps mentioning a rabies tag. When Sylvestor got his shots, I put his rabies tag on his collar. Now I know this was stupid because lo and behold, he loses his collar. I put it on him because he's an indoor/outdoor cat and I wanted it on him in case he was ever picked up for some reason. I wish he wasn't outdoors, but he was outdoors before I got him, and it hasn't been an easy habit to break. Should I be concerned that he doesn't have the tag anymore? I still have the paperwork showing he got the shot..

Originally Posted by alikatt

Not to jack this thread, but everyone keeps mentioning a rabies tag. When Sylvestor got his shots, I put his rabies tag on his collar. Now I know this was stupid because lo and behold, he loses his collar. I put it on him because he's an indoor/outdoor cat and I wanted it on him in case he was ever picked up for some reason. I wish he wasn't outdoors, but he was outdoors before I got him, and it hasn't been an easy habit to break. Should I be concerned that he doesn't have the tag anymore? I still have the paperwork showing he got the shot..

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The paper is what you need ... tags are more for immediate knowledge but the proof is the paperwork

The tag can be important too, though, as if your cat gets lost, they can match the number on the rabies tag to the vet, and the vet can look you up and find you that way. If the cat has a regular up-to-date id tag, then it shouldn't be a problem as long as you have proof somehow.

Originally Posted by sharky

when you get to the vet ask them to tetter the blood to se if there is immunity

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Cool! I didn't know they could do that!

Originally Posted by Cearbhaill

In my area all cats that have been through a shelter (especially Petco/Humane Society) have tattoos that are easily traced and that would lead to info. Check her belly.

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I'll check.

Yes, I do plan on getting his rabies shot in the next month. When I got Luna's done, they never gave me a tag, just a certificate. Then again though, they knew she is an indoor cat (which Whitey will be too). Whitey also has that Avid Microchip in him, so even if he did get out one day they can link him back to me.