VACCINES

Many people wonder how we feel about vaccines and wonder if we vaccinate our kittens before going to new homes.

We do not vaccinate our kittens before they go to new homes (with the exception of Rabies, as required by state law and if they are old enough to receive the vaccine)

The main reason we have chosen to not vaccinate is because of health reasons. In the past we have tried many different options. We have waited to vaccinate at 12 weeks old, we have vaccinated as early as 4 weeks old, we have vaccinated at 8 weeks and at 12 weeks, we have tried many combinations of ages and both intranasal and injectable vaccines. 
Of all the combinations and types of vaccines we have tried, we have found that simply not vaccinating our kittens at all proves to be the healthiest option for our kittens.
Prior to our decision to not vaccinate, when we were vaccinating, we had healthy litters go from being perfectly healthy, to sneezing that took a long time to resolve, and even worse, some kittens had side effects like actually getting the disease for which they were vaccinate for, and as bad as even death from vaccine reactions.

We have researched the pros and cons to vaccinations and have reached the conclusion that a kitten with a immature immune system should not be subjected to foreign antibodies via an unnatural route.

Further, of the three 'core' vaccines recommended, two of them are "colds" which usually resolve with no significant harm to the cat. Only one of the core vaccines is usually fatal, but that particular disease is almost eradicated from the United States anyway, and a cat that is kept strictly indoors as a pet is not at any great risk of contracting that disease.
On top of that, the first two core vaccines mentioned, do not keep the cat from catching the disease, they are only supposed to limit the severity of the disease when the cat does get it.

Some vaccines are not very effective and can be very dangerous. FIP is a dangerous vaccine and not very effective. FIV is a very dangerous vaccine because once a cat is vaccinated with it, the cat will test positive for FIV for the rest of it's life. This means that is somehow your cat gets outside and ends up in a shelter, most likely it will be euthanized immediately because the shelter will think your cat has FIV!

Given all the pros and cons of vaccines, we feel it is better left up to the new kitten owner to make the decision weather or not to vaccinate the new kitten, once the kitten goes to it's new home. If the new owner makes the decision to vaccinate, we recommend a few things:

1.)Wait at least a week or until the new kitten has settled in and feels at home and is not under stress from the move.

2.)To not give more than one vaccine at a time so the immune system does not need to work as hard to develop antibodies many different viruses at once.

3.)To vaccine only for panlukopenia and rabies and nothing experimental and proven not to work like FIP, FIV, bordetella etc, or anything that is generally not lethal like rhinotracheitis and calicivirus.

4.)Be informed about all vaccines before going to the vets and have reasons why you should not vaccinate if you choose not. Most vets will recommend lots of vaccines. It is your job to be informed about the best care for your kitty! Don't leave it up to the vets.

5.)Never vaccinate at the same time of any surgery, or if the kitten is sick.

6.)To only give the kitten/cat vaccines every three years (or longer) instead of every year

Provided on this page are is some good articles for you about vaccines to help you make an informed descision on weather or not you should vaccinate your kitten. (please see "SUPPLIMENTAL VACCINE INFORMATION" below). Please realize it is a risk both ways, weather or not you choose to vaccinate your kitten. You must make a descision based on what you believe is less risky given your circumstances.

For cats being shipped out of the United States, we may vaccinate them before leaving here if the country of import requires such vaccines to be given. If the country does not require them, we usually will not give anything not required. We take everything on a case by case basis.

DearLeopards, the choice to not vaccinate is not about the money involved to do so. If a buyer feels strongly that they should vaccinate (after reading the provided information), they may do so at our expense. We will deduct $35 from the cost of your kitten for vaccination of the three way "core" vaccines and the rabies vaccine. (Receipts with proof of vaccination must be provided to us within 6 months of the sale date of kitten, or you will owe us the money back)

Final note: Because it is a risk both to vaccinate AND to not vaccinate, DearLeopards will NOT be held responsible for any sickness the cat may get from either not vaccinating or from vaccinating.
Please make an INFORMED descision based on your own circumstances and what you feel is best for your kitten/cat. 

Vaccinating with FIP and/or FIV will render our health guarantee null and void and you will be in breach of our contract with you.