Should I require indoor cat to be vaccinated?

Question

I have new tenants moving in. I talked about requiring proof of vaccination for pets at the showing. Didn’t have it in this listing... :(

Now I’m asking for proof and they don’t have their cat vaccinated. Tenant says “it’s an indoor only cat and her vet says it’s normal to not vaccinate indoor cats.”

My gut feel is I should require vaccination. Anyone have a resounding don’t you dare require or not require it?! court case references are always a bonus and super helpful.

-Justin

Joe Splitrock · Answer

@Justin Voegele verify your local laws. Minneapolis requires all cats be licenced and to get licenced the cat needs a rabies vaccination. It doesn't matter if the animal is going to be outside or inside. I have trouble believing a vet would advise against following a licensing and vaccination laws, especially since it is a revenue stream for vets.

James Mc Ree · Answer

Your situation is not about doing what is best for a cat's health or well-being.

Your two legal mechanisms are local/state regulations and your lease. Check your local and state regulations to see if cat vaccination is required. If so, tell Tenant to comply. If your lease contains a pet clause/addendum, it might also say something to the effect of complying with local and state ordinances is required.

You could write into your lease that cat vaccination is required, but then you will need to specify which vaccinations are needed. I don't know anything about that and you would probably have a conflict on your hands if Tenant presents you with a letter from their vet saying indoor cats don't need vaccinations. You probably need to wait until lease expiration to update the lease.

Lastly, Tenant says, "No." What do you want to do? I don't see a reason to press your concern further if you really don't have a practical action. Build your new relationship to make your Tenant feel comfortable in their home which will encourage future lease renewal/extension.

Bonnie Low · Answer

@Justin Voegele - in our litigation happy society, there's also the chance that if you require vaccinations and something happens to your tenant's cat, they could attempt to hold you liable for that. Someone once told me 'anyone can sue anyone over anything' in America. Even if it seems outrageous. So I think if I was going to say anything at all I would try to take the most neutral stance possible. Perhaps simply saying something like 'all pet owners are expected to follow their veterinarian's advice regarding immunizations and county animal control regulations.' That way you've addressed it but put the liability back on them.

Account Closed · Answer

@Justin Voegele

Always. And certificate of vaccination is to be sent directly from vet to you. Not from tenant to you .

James Mcsweeney · Answer

I agree with the comments, as a general rule, Yes they have to be vaccinated. Even if the owner says otherwise. Firstly, it does depend to some extent on the pet. And it depends how “indoors” an indoors cat is (we’ve seen people with “indoor cats” that are allowed out on special occasions before!

Greg M. · Answer

The spaying/neutering usually isn't a problem. At least in my state (with very minor exceptions) outside of a stray you can't legally get a cat/dog that isn't spayed/neutered. On top of that, our local government, shelters, and rescue centers frequently offer free or very low cost spaying/neutering. Some vets also offer it for free to lower income people. You'd have to be a shitty pet owner not to have it done.

From what I recall for our indoor cats the vet recommended getting rabies (might have been required by local law) and leukemia vaccines. Once we started letting them outside the vet added FIP, FIV, and Bordetella vaccines. There are also area specific vaccines.

I highly doubt their vet said no vaccines were required.

Scott Mac · Answer

Vaccines in animals are said to cause cancer, there is a lot on the internet about it.

As far as Rabies, I believe certain areas require it for pets.

Some Vets push vaccines, and some are more reserved about it.

There is a lot of info on the internet about it.

They can mess people up too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7YEm4YCMs

Good Luck!

Amy Beth · Answer

@Justin Voegele I do not require vaccinations but I do require proof from a vet of spaying or neutering.  This keeps them from having litters of kittens and cuts back on cats marking their territory by urinating.

Greg M. · Answer

I'm guessing you're not a cat person. Vaccinated against what? They have a bunch of different vaccines against different things. Are you going to require all of them? That can easily run the owner several hundred dollars per pet. They also aren't one and done. Some are every year and others every 2 or 3 years. Are you going to make sure the tenant goes back for every booster shot?

Just put in your lease that any pets must be registered, vaccinated, and spayed/neutered as required by law. Leave it up to the tenant to comply.

Bonnie Low · Answer

What concerns do you have about a non-vaccinated cat? Are you concerned that there are other pets in the building it could spread disease to? Or that it could infect another tenant it might come in contact with and liability could possibly pass on to you?

Should I require indoor cat to be vaccinated?

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