Upper respiratory infections are the most common illness in shelter cats. Evidence-based prevention through vaccination, population management, and treatment protocols saves lives and reduces suffering.
Shelter cat URI causes suffering through nasal congestion, eye discharge, reduced appetite, and lethargy that can progress to pneumonia in severe cases. The welfare dimension is compounded by the fact that URI simultaneously makes cats feel unwell and makes them appear less adoptable, triggering a welfare spiral where sickness reduces adoption probability and increases length of stay that increases stress that worsens the sickness. Evidence-based prevention that combines vaccination, density management, and stress reduction through enrichment and foster programs addresses the root causes rather than just treating the symptoms. Shelters that implement comprehensive URI prevention see dramatically lower illness rates and better welfare outcomes for their cat population.