Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm going to be working with sick cats on a daily basis at a local cat shelter (mostly URI cats). My one cat is 9 months old and has received 2 vaccinations (and I'm only going to continue with the rabies every 3 years). My other cat is 13 and has not had any vaccinations in 7 years. I plan on removing my shoes before coming into the house after work and I plan on changing immediately. Is there anything else I should do to prevent bringing anything home?

Ideally, have a change of clothes and shoes, and shower, at the shelter, before leaving, so whatever is there stays there. Showering is often not possible, but changing clothes is. Wear a headscarf while working there, and leave it there with the rest of your working clothes. It is unlikely that your cats will pick up anything, as they have been previously been vaccinated and there is no direct contact, but these are reasonable precautions to take, and your cats will not get upset by smelling strange cats.

Do I have to worry about bringing something serious like panleukopenia home? Especially to my one cat who's 13 and hasn't been vaccinated in 6 years?

If your cats have had a panleukopenia vaccination at any time in the past, they are protected for life.

Does that theory hold true for calicivirus and rhinotracheitis?

The vaccines for calicivirus and rhinotracheitis don't prevent the diseases, just make it milder. One shot does as much as many.