Is it illegal to not get cats vaccinated for rabies?

It depends upon the state.

I would lie and refuse them and all other repeated shots, boosters if possible regardless of the law.

Too mmany cats die and have bad rewactions to these and the worst thing about it is they are unnecessary and do not extend the life of a vaccination and maybe even weaken the original vaccine. This and dry foods are the worst things done to cats as they are done strictly for money regardless of the affects

http://www.vaclib.org/legal/PetsDying.htm

http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Farm/1050/vacci...

http://www.holisticat.com/vaccinations.html

In most states rabies vaccines are required by law in both cats and dogs even if the cats do not go outside. It is basically to protect humans because in most cases rabies is fatal. Your cats may not ever go outside, but has a bat ever gotten into your home? It does happen and for that reason alone you need to protect yourself and your family as well as your cat. Talk to your vet about the outcome your cat suffered after vaccinations. Dark red blood usually means that the blood was "old" and not new, so perhaps your kitty had some type of intestinal disorder and it was just coincidental that she just had shots. However I did once have a sphynx kitten get sick from a distemper shot she was puking, diarrhea, and lethargic for two days (she almost died). Ask your vet if the vaccination is live or killed virus.The vet also may not use the full dose if the cat is sensitive to the shot. Good luck.

You need to check your city's policies regarding the the rabies laws for cats. Call your local animal shelter.

If it is not required by your city, then it is at your discretion. If your cats are STRICTLY indoors, (they don't even go out in the yard with you) then Rabies isn't needed.

If they do go out at all, then it is in their best interest to get a rabies shot. If they were to be bitten by a rabid animal, they would be quarantined at the local shelter, and if they did act suspiciously during quarantine, they would have to be put to sleep. Quarantine would also be required if your cat got out and bit a human.

If you think you should get a rabies vaccine for your cat, but are worried about the side effects, find out which shot your vet gave last time- they will have a manufacturer, vaccine name, and lot # for that vaccine. You could try getting your cat another vaccine from a different manufacturer from a different vet.

If your pet is not vaccinated for rabies and it happens to get bitten by a rabid animal, it is NOT likely your pet will survive. If you get bitten by a suspected rabid animal - you are the lucky winner of medical treatment - I am not sure if it has changed from the series of painful shots or not...

Your veterinarian, local humane society and/or animal control can inform you of the requirements in your area.

There are not many states that do not require a rabies vaccination. Regardless of whether your pet ever goes out of doors. There is always a risk for an escape attempt or a visitor from outside (a bat for instance - a MAJOR carrier of rabies, in some areas).

If your pet had that severe a reaction to the shot, I hope to goodness that you got additional vet care for it. A day or two of lethargy is not abnormal, though.

I don't know if its illegal or not, but if your cats never ever get outside (even by accident), then its probably ok. My vet told me that the real danger is if one of them gets sick, and you take it to the vet for something else, it can pick up a sickness at the vets office (like distemper).

I have 2 cats. They are both indoor cats, but one tries to get out every chance he gets, and is sometimes successful. I get him vaccinated, just in case. My other cat twitches for days after being at the vet, and I don't bother with him b/c he never gets out. There is also a very small chance that your cat can get a sarcoma (cancer) from a vaccine, so I don't want to risk that w/the kitty who never tries to get out. With the other cat, I do risk it, b/c I figure there is more of a chance that he'll get out and come in contact w/another cat than him getting the vaccine cancer. Bottom line, do what you're comfortable with if they are strictly indoor cats - and it might be different for each cat. Maybe don't bother w/the kitty who had the reaction, but take care of the other 2?

It depends on your city/state, although I think that it is required pretty much everywhere.

If it makes you feel better, don't do it. My new vet said that so long as my cats remain indoors, have no contact with bats or other cats, they would be just fine without the rabies.

So I chose not to do it. Sure, you might have problems if for some reason the place you live comes after you and finds out you didn't get the shots - but why would they?

It's your own choice of course, but I wouldn't sweat it if you don't do it.

I've never heard of an animal having a reaction to a rabies vaccine but I have heard of both cats and ferrets having reactions to distemper vaccines.

Like someone else said its often dictated by your city whether rabies vaccines are required or not. Wherever you live your pet should be licensed with the city you live in. Some cities require proof of the rabies vaccination when you register your pet, some don't. I don't believe distemper is ever a required vaccine, though, and with most of my pets (especially my ferrets) I skip it due to the chance of side effects.

You can talk to the vet. It may be that the cat needs a smaller dosage due to being so sensitive to the vaccine. The vet NEEDS to know how the cat responded previously.

It probably is illegal to not vaccinate the cat.

Even the best kept house cat CAN get out.

Sometimes mice and rats sneak inside in winter and are only known to your cat, who can contract the rabies from the vermin.

It's really irresponsible to not get the cat it's rabies vaccination annually.

I don't think it's illegal for cats not to have the vaccines, just dogs. I'd ask your vet and let him/her know what happened. I haven't heard of a kitty throwing up blood after vaccinations. My indoor kitties get their shots and are a bit lethargic for a day. You wouldn't notice it in my big 17 pounder, he's usually just laying around anyway, but normal. You can meet Louie and his kitty family here: http://www.catster.com/dogs/664143

It varies state by state, but I know that they need to be licensed. Rabie shots are part of the routine they need to go through in their checkups so I would assume so.