Obligations and Responsibilities of a Cat Owner

Here are the main legal obligations and recommendations that will help you keep your feline companion fit.

Identification: a legal obligation

Identification your cat is mandatory before any sale or assignment, even without charge. This can be done in two ways:

By electronic chip (electronic identification)
By tattoo

The rabies vaccination, necessary to travel in Corsica, in the DOM-TOM or stay in some campsites, is only validated if your cat is correctly identified. This identification proves that he was the one who received the vaccine.

Immunization: an essential protection

The vaccination status of your cat depends on its origin:

If your kitten comes from professional breeding, he probably already received a first injection of vaccine on the day of acquisition
If your kitten comes from particular, probably never been vaccinated

In any case, we recommend that you take stock of the Clinique Vétérinaire Paris 17 to establish a personalized vaccination program.

Civil liability: essential coverage

As the owner, you must be insured for damage what could cause your animal. In the absence of specific insurance, you will have to bear the financial consequences of repairing the damage caused.

Important Check that your home multi-risk third-party liability insurance policy covers damage caused to third parties by your pets.

Obligation in case of bite or scratch

If your cat bites or scratches someone, the law requires you to:

Present as soon as possible to a veterinarian
Perform three health visits one week apart
Monitor for possible symptoms of rabies

This mandatory precaution allows you to quickly treat the bitten person if your cat turns out to have this disease. The cost of this procedure can usually be covered by your liability insurance.

Combating divagation

Municipalities are required to combat the divagation of animals in their territory. If your cat comes out, it could be captured during these operations.

Identification is crucial so that your animal can be returned to you easily. In rabies-infected areas, an unidentified and unvaccinated cat can even be slaughtered in accordance with health regulations!

Therefore, at the Clinique Vétérinaire Paris 17, we systematically recommend: