Companion Animal Welfare

Cat FeLV Prevention and Vaccination Welfare

Feline leukaemia virus vaccination is recommended for cats with outdoor or multi-cat exposure risk, preventing a serious immunosuppressive disease.

Key Facts

FeLV vaccination provides approximately 95% protection against infection in vaccinated cats
Cats with outdoor access or in multi-cat households have highest exposure risk requiring vaccination
Pre-vaccination testing identifies cats already infected who cannot benefit from vaccination
The vaccine is considered a non-core vaccine recommended based on individual lifestyle risk assessment
FeLV-positive cats can live comfortably for extended periods with appropriate management

Welfare Considerations

FeLV vaccination prevents a disease causing progressive immunosuppression and significantly shortened lifespan. Risk-based vaccination decisions ensure that cats with genuine exposure risk are protected while avoiding unnecessary vaccination of genuinely low-risk cats.

What You Can Do

Discuss FeLV vaccination with your vet based on your cat's individual outdoor access and social exposure
Test cats for FeLV status before vaccination and before introducing new cats to existing households
Maintain vaccination currency in FeLV-vaccinated cats according to veterinary guidance