Do Cats Need Rabies Shots In Illinois

This new legislation sb 131 amends the animal control act and requires all cat owners to have their pets vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian.

Do cats need rabies shots in illinois. Do not feed touch or adopt wild animals or stray dogs or cats. Bruce rauner signed legislation into law that amended illinois animal control act. Do not feed touch or adopt wild animals or stray dogs or cats. I have heard many pet parents say but my cat is indoors only when i bring up vaccinating their cat particularly against rabies.

While you may keep your cat indoors that doesn t mean that they can t ever escape or that wildlife can t. As of january 2019 all cats and kittens 4 months of age and older must be vaccinated for rabies. It is very important that all cats be vaccinated against rabies including cats that never go outdoors. This new law aims to protect cats as well as the public in illinois.

Rabies is a zoonotic disease meaning it can spread from animals to people and is fatal. Do indoor cats need a rabies vaccine too. A vaccinated pet may need a booster dose of rabies vaccine as soon as possible. About one out of five homes in illinois has at least one pet cat.

Unvaccinated animals exposed to a known rabid animal must be confined and professionally observed for six months or euthanized. A vaccinated pet may need a booster dose of rabies vaccine as soon as possible. Wbbm newsradio a new illinois law requires pet cats to be vaccinated for rabies once they reach 4 months of age. Unvaccinated animals exposed to a known rabid animal must be confined and professionally observed for six months or euthanized.