2 indoor spca cats need rabies shot? Declaw?

[Life_Is_An_Eyeblink]

Must these 2 indoor adopted cats have rabies shots?
What is your opinion on declawing them?


Last night adopted 2 adults male cats from local SPCA..  They will be strictly indoor cats--never outside, except to go to vet in cages (rarely, I hope). Both seem very healthy.  Both FIV NEGATIVE.

Both came to SPCA as "strays"--but one was neutered (male) and the other had a shoulder chip!

Both look very healthy---one about 7 months old, and has no-tail at all (rumpey?)  Brown tabby shorthair with dark brown stripes and bold spots.  VERY friendly and gentle.



Other appears to be a young adult has not been neutered (male)--I am to take him back to SPCA Friday for that.
Came in with a chip, but owners could not be located.  domestic yellow shorthair with white paws.  Very gentle and healthy-seeming, currently still hiding under the bed.

Both said to get along with dogs.  We have a cat-friendly German Shepherd Seeing Eye dog (my husband is blind).
Also a caged (VERY GENTLE) Congo African Grey parrot-- 17 years old.  (We would not let the parrot out while the cats are in the room.)

[PrettyKitty1]

April said it best. My vet once mentioned that indoors do not need rabies shots. But, if you ever decide to adopt another kitty from the ASPCA, you will be required to show record of rabies hots for your other cats. When I adopted my Dillan from the county shelter, they said that I could not take him unless I showed proof that Abby, my first cat, was up to date with ALL his shots, including rabies. They also made a note of the vaccine ID and the maker. Yes, they are THAT an-al.
They really don't need to have their rabies shots if they'll never go out.

As for declawing, my cats are declawed. It is a personal choice and we will leave it up to you to decide. But, they don't HAVE to be declawed to be indoors only.

[April2]

I think it depends on where you live and what the rules are. It's upsetting to me that I have to give my indoor cats rabies shots when they NEVER go outside but it's the law here. Fortunately, there's a rabies shot that lasts for 3 years so I don't have to worry about it again for awhile but my younger cat had a reaction to the rabies shot so they have to give her benedryl before the rabies shot now. I think it's ridiculous to put them through that but the law's the law. Check and see what the law is there in your state.

As for the declawing, that's a personal choice and a lot of people feel pretty passionate about it on both sides so it might be best to discuss it with your vet.
My cats are declawed and did fine. They are inside only cats, though. Again, talk to your vet and get his or her opinion before making any decision. It might even be a good idea to get a couple of opinions from more than one vet.

And do be careful with the bird. I know you said you wouldn't let your cat out in the same room but I had a neighbor who's bird somehow got out of his cage while they were gone and you guessed it, the cat killed the bird. It wasn't a very pleasant thing to come home to. You can't blame the cat, though, since it's instinct to hunt and kill.
It can cause a lot of stress to your bird, too, if you allow them to be in the same room so you are wise to keep them separated.

And congratulations on your new fur babies! We'd love to see some pictures if you'd care to post some. Have fun with your new kitties! :)