One of A Kind Education

FIV, or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that is similar to HIV in humans that causes the immune system to be weakened. The thought of introducing an FIV positive kitty into your home may be a little scarry at first, but reality is that they can live long, happy lives just like their FIV negative friends.

How is it spread?
FIV is spread only through severe bite wounds from an infected cat. The virus is not spreadable through grooming or sharing things like food, water, and litter boxes. If a nursing mother is positive for FIV, her kittens may test positive in the initial weeks of their lives because the kittens receive the antibodies from the virus from their mothers milk, however, it is not a guarantee that the kitten will actually contract the virus and may test negative once done nursing on their mother.

How does FIV effect a cat’s day to day life?
An infected cat may have a weakened immune system, making it more susceptible to things like upper respiratory infections and skin problems. As with any cat, it is best to keep FIV positive cats especially as indoor pets only so as not to introduce them to unnecessary illness. An FIV cat may require marginally more vet care than the typical housecat, though if they receive a regular program of preventative care through their vet they can live long, comfortable lives with no hindrance on their lifespan.

Can I have an FIV positive and negative cat in the same house?
Yes! Our organization strongly believes that positive and negative cats can live together harmoniously in a home. As with any virus there is always a transmission risk, but recent research has been showing that the transmission risk of FIV is so low that it is incredibly unlikely to happen in a home environment. As mentioned above, there is no concern of transmission through bodily fluids that would be present in communal food, water, or litter boxes, nor is there a high risk of transmission through grooming. Cases of FIV are rarely ever seen in a cat that has not been outside and involved in fights for a portion of its life; the most common demographic that is found to have FIV is intact male outdoor cats.

Why should I adopt an FIV positive cat?
The initial shock of hearing the words “This cat is positive for…” often lead people to exclude them in their search for a new companion. Because of this, FIV positive cats spend much longer in the shelter on average than other cats who test negative. These animals are just as affectionate and deserving of homes, and even have the likelihood to be highly socialized with other cats if they were one pulled from a community cat colony, potentially making transition into a home with other cats much easier.

Our organization takes in positive and negative cats alike and will house them for however long they need until they are adopted, and we provide treatment to any condition that is considered treatable. If you would like to help in our efforts, please consider donating.