Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Feline Rabies Prevention and Wildlife Welfare

Rabies vaccination of domestic cats prevents transmission to wildlife and humans while protecting cats in endemic regions.

Key Facts

Rabies causes fatal encephalitis in all warm-blooded mammals including cats
Domestic cats are a bridge species between wildlife rabies reservoirs and humans
Vaccination of cats protects wildlife, humans, and cats themselves
UK cats do not require rabies vaccination but imported cats need appropriate documentation
Global cat vaccination campaigns contribute to rabies elimination in endemic regions

Welfare Considerations

Rabies causes one of the most distressing and painful deaths of any infectious disease - fear of water, paralysis, and encephalitis over days. Cat vaccination prevents this suffering in cats and prevents cats from becoming a bridge for transmission to other animals and humans. Supporting global cat vaccination programmes is an animal welfare and public health priority.

What You Can Do

Vaccinate cats against rabies when living in or travelling to endemic regions
Support global cat vaccination campaigns in endemic countries
Learn about the One Health connections between animal and human rabies prevention