Unfortunately there is a worldwide vaccine shortage due to Covid related production issues combined with an increase in the number of cats needing vaccination.
The Veterinary Officer has contacted all the major UK vaccine manufacturers and they are all giving the same advice to veterinary practices which is to prioritise primary vaccination courses and delay booster vaccinations for up to 3 months.
There will be no rule change in relation to vaccination as the clause in GCCF Rule: Section 110 b ii covers situations when a breeder cannot vaccinate kittens in an emergency.
Breeders should make every effort to find a practice that will provide a complete vaccination course at the usual age ie 9 and 12 weeks. It is most strongly recommended that you try to book a litter in as far ahead as possible ie at least 4/5 weeks before their first vaccine is due. If you encounter difficulty please explain to the practice that vaccination prior to sale is a GCCF rule that is there for the protection and welfare of kittens up to 12/13 weeks of age before being released to their new homes.
If no practice in your area is able to either fully vaccinate kittens or give only a single dose of vaccine, the GCCF Veterinary Advisory Committee has agreed that kittens may be rehomed under the emergency provision of GCCF Rule: Section 1 10 b ii which requires the breeder to inform the GCCF Office with a valid reason for failure to vaccinate.
The kittens must be at least 12 weeks old and have had at least one health check by a veterinary surgeon before rehoming.
In order to comply with the emergency provision of GCCF Rule: Section 1 10 b ii please download and print a copy of the KITTEN HEALTH CHECK RECORD from this link, or the one below. The form is also available by post from the GCCF office on request. Please complete the KITTEN DETAILS section as instructed on the reverse of the form and give it to your veterinary surgeon when you present the kitten/s for their health check and ask them to complete and sign the VETERINARY SURGEON section of the form. Finally you must read, sign and date the BREEDERS DECLARATION at the bottom of the form.
Please send a signed copy of the form to the GCCF office (Email is acceptable –info@gccfcats.org) A copy of this should also be given to the new owner. The breeder must also advise the new owner that the kitten must be fully vaccinated by their own veterinary surgeon at the earliest opportunity. The new owner should also be advised that the kitten should be isolated from all other cats until at least 7 days after the 2nd dose of vaccine. Please check the website regularly for the latest information about the vaccine situation.
Dr Susan F Moreland BA Vet MB MRCVSGCCF Veterinary Officer 26th October 2021
You can download from here
