PAWS has two FIV-positive cats that are in need of loving forever homes or foster homes. Before you write them off as possible new members of your family or fostering, please read the information below to gain a better understanding of the virus and its affect on our feline friends.

Sadly, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions that surround FIV and the cats that have it. Hopefully by dispelling these myths, we can encourage folks to consider adopting or fostering an FIV+ cat. A few common FIV untruths:

• FIV+ cats are highly contagious and they cannot live in a home with FIV- cats.
• FIV+ cats are doomed to live short and unhealthy lives.
• FIV+ cats aren't worth the effort, they are just going to spend their entire lives sick.

All three of these statements are absolutely not true. With just a bit of factual information about FIV and its impact on a cat’s life could dispel all or any fears potential adopters have when thinking about adopting an FIV+ cat.

The Truth about FIV:

FIV is transferred only by saliva to blood or blood to blood contact. What that means is sharing a litter box, food bowl, minor scuffles or grooming each other, does not pass FIV from one cat to another. A significant puncture wound or multiple wounds would have to occur for an infected cat to transfer FIV to an uninfected cat.

This type of fight is pretty rare--almost unheard of-- amongst spay/neutered cats living in a home or kennel environment. Many FIV+ cats live long long healthy lives. Often, owners only discover their cat has FIV late in life when the cat has developed a secondary infection. Many live 17, 18, 19 years before there is any indication of an immune system compromise.

Some shelters don’t test for FIV and unless a cat has symptoms of the secondary infections, most people don’t think to test their cats. That means, many FIV cats live long healthy lives amongst non-FIV cats mates. Keeping FIV+ cats healthy is quite easy.

The way to insure a healthy FIV+ cat stays healthy is to provide routine vet check ups, feed them healthy high grade food and quickly seek medical care if symptoms of infection or illness occur. So, if your FIV+ cat remains indoors, eats well and is well cared for...your cat and her immune system will stay strong for a very long time. Just like an FIV- cat!

You may wonder if you can I bring an FIV-positive cat into my home with an FIV-negative cat? A few months ago, one of my co-workers rescued a stray kitten from a parking lot near our office. She planned to take him home, get him neutered and healthy and then try to find a home for him. Since then, she found out he’s FIV-positive and has decided to keep him. He is now the little brother to four older feline sisters. My co-worker said she wants to be sure he has the happiest and healthiest life he can have, and the only way she can be assured of that is to take care of him herself. (How wonderful is she?!) So, long story short, it’s really up to you. As long as your FIV-negative cat always stays indoors at all times, bringing an FIV-positive cat into your home as a companion should be fine. Remember, the risk of transmittal to a healthy cat is low. However, there is still risk involved, so we recommend you do what you feel comfortable with.

Finally, all cats deserve a chance to live full, happy lives. All cats thrive with the love and companionship that a home provides them. Because FIV does not necessarily mean a short and illness filled life, these cat would benefit from a home environment just like FIV- cats. And we know their adopters would benefit from the love of a special cat or two!

Remember, FIV is not an immediate death sentence. Come and meet some of our FIV positive cats. All are loving, wonderful and silly little felines. All are waiting for you take them home!

For more information, read FIV Cats from Best Friends Magazine  Several good sources of information can be found by clicking the following link and scroll down to Felv/Fiv.

To help a homeless FIV+ cat, please consider fostering or adopting one (or two!) of these wonderful creatures! If you have any questions, please email adoption@pawsofpa.org.