FIV Cat Rescue

In 2006, my husband and I had been fostering cats and kittens for 6 years for the local Humane Society. Early that year, my husband and I fostered a litter of 4 bottle-feeders, whose mother abandoned them. As was customary, when the kittens weighed 2 pounds, we took them in to be spayed/neutered.

A couple hours before we were to pick them up, we got a call that would change our lives. The shelter called to say that the kittens had tested positive for FIV antibodies so they were euthanized. They were dead. Gone.

We were devastated.

We had heard of FIV but did not really know what it was. We couldn't get the questions out of our head: How could these 3 healthy, happy kittens have a disease so bad they had to be killed? Was FIV terminal? Was there a cure?

We began in earnest researching FIV on the Internet and getting really conflicting information. Facts were not easy to come by because once a post appears on the Internet, it is there. Forever. No matter how old and outdated the information.

In our search we found out that cats that test positive for FIV can live long, healthy, happy lives. Thus began our journey into rescuing FIV cats and the beginning of FIV Cat Rescue. To stop the killing of healthy cats that test positive for FIV by educating vets, animal shelters, and the public that FIV cats should not be facing death for simply a compromised immune system.

FIV, which stands for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, is the feline version of HIV. The virus, a lentivirus, progresses very slowly and gradually affects a cat's immune system.

FIV is also known as Feline AIDS. The most well-known lentivirus in humans is HIV. However, the two are not at all the same and you can't get FIV from a cat.

FIV occurs worldwide, but is more prevalent in certain geographic areas.

The common misconception is that a cat that test positive for FIV will die young. In fact, most cats that test positive and have homes, live long, healthy lives. Just like many humans who test positive for HIV but do not get AIDS, cats can test positive for FIV and not die of FIV.

Photo: Romeo

Our ultimate goal is to stop the killing of cats that test positive for FIV. The three areas we focus on is (1) To educate shelters on how to adopt these cats out; (2) educate vets on how to treat them, and; (3) to educate the public about FIV and just how healthy they can be.

FIV Cat Rescue is an educational organization. We are a voice for these cats and hope to ultimately save thousands of cats that test positive for FIV antibodies. We are not going to be a shelter although we've taken in local cats who tested positive for FIV antibodies and were scheduled to be killed. We are finding them homes.

As a shelter, we know we can only save a few dozen cats, but through an educational program, we could potentially save thousands by educating vets, shelters and the public about FIV. So, our ultimate goal is to stop the killing of cats that test positive for FIV.

FIV Cat Rescue's mission is to stop the killing of FIV cats by:
1. working with researchers to create and distribute educational materials to vets, shelters and the general public about FIV.
2. setting up and make available a database of shelters, rescues and sanctuaries that take in FIV cats.
3. providing rescuers and caregivers the tools they need to help stop the killing of FIV cats.
4. providing assistance to find forever homes for FIV cats.
5. educating the public about FIV (Feline immunodeficiency Virus), and
6. promoting spay and neuter to reduce cat over-population, spread of FIV and euthanasia.

Photo: Gypsy

FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) is transmitted through blood transfusions or deep penetrating bite wounds. Kittens can get it from an infected mother while in the womb or through ingestion of milk during nursing, although this is rare.

Experimentally, FIV can also be transmitted through semen however this is not thought to be a significant method of transmission in nature.

The disease is seen more often in un-neutered stray or feral male cats, since fighting is more common among these cats. FIV is not easily passed between cats. It cannot be spread casually - like in litter boxes, water and food bowls, or when snuggling and playing.

A neutered cat, in a home, is extremely unlikely to infect other cats, if properly introduced and the other cats are non-aggressive.

Cornell University on FIV:
"The primary mode of transmission is through bite wounds. Casual, non-aggressive contact does not appear to be an efficient route of spreading FIV; as a result, cats in households with stable social structures where housemates do not fight are at little risk for acquiring FIV infections."

Photo: Harley (shaved due to matted hair when we got him)

A simple blood test, done in most veterinary clinics or hospitals, called ELISA (Enzyme-lined immunosorbent assay) is used to diagnose FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus). The test only tests for antibodies not the actual virus. Due to many false positives, if a cat tests positive, it should be retested using the Western Blot or Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

Kittens should be retested again at 6 months old because they inherit their mother's antibodies and will by 6 months old they should be gone from their systems. Most kittens will, when retested, come back negative.

NOTE: Cats who have been vaccinated against FIV will test positive for FIV antibodies. This leads to false readings all of their lives.

Photo: Kittens tested positive for FIV

FIV infected cats have compromised immune systems and therefore are more susceptible to infections. Therefore, they need to be neutered (to minimize or prevent fighting), kept indoors (to decrease exposure to other cats), fed a good diet with vitamin supplements (no raw foods), have yearly check-ups, and aggressively treat any infections that may occur.

FIV-infected cats should be free from stress. Both preventative health and dental care are important. Administer prescribed medications and monitor your cat's general activity level, body weight, appetite and attitude.

Vaccinations for other diseases should be discussed with your veterinarian.

Photo: Princess

For over 5 years, I've had FIV+ cats and non-FIV cats living together in my home. They lick each other, they eat out of each others food bows, drink from the same water bowls and they play and sleep together; the disease has NOT been transmitted to any of my non-FIV cat. Also, I have many older cats (7 over 12 years old -- 2 with FIV and 5 without). None of the FIV+ cats have turned into AIDS and none of the non-FIV cats have been infected.

30 years after humans got freaked about HIV and turned people into lepers, they are now pasisng the stigma onto FIV cats -- all for the same reason -- fear of the unknown and lack of good information. We are working very hard to get a grant to tell vets, shelters, rescues and the general public that having FIV should not be a death sentence. That a cat that tests positive for FIV antibodies can live long, healthy, happy lives. And they are in living in many, many homes.

Cats do not have to die simply for a compromised immune system, which is what FIV is.

Wear a t-shirt and spread the word about FIV cats - they don't have to die!

Every penny goes to save FIV cats. Thank you!


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Having your cat spayed or neutered will stop the overpopulation and the killing of cats. Millions of cats are killed at shelters each year due to overpopulation. Keep in mind, if your cat has 4 kittens, even if you get homes for those kittens, 4 others are killed because they could not get homes.

This wonderful animation was created by David Booth of Cabin Fever Art. Check out his site to see all his wonderful cartoons and other goodies. He also provides the weekly cartoon for Are You Polar Bear Aware?

Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Programs

ASPCA has a special link for you to find low-cost spay/neuter programs in your community. Simply go to
Low-Cost Spay Neuter Programs and enter in your zip code and you'll get a list of the programs in your area.

Photo: SnoBall our FIV Mascot

These wonderful cats are up for adoption. Most tested positive for FIV antibodies. A few may not have but are simply rescues looking for a forever homes. If you can give a good home to one (or more) of these cats, please call send me an email at Frankie@FivCatRescue.org

If you want an active cat who loves life, then Jimmy is for you. He is so Bond-like: handsome yet wiley. He loves to play and will keep you entertained for hours.

Jimmy Bond is a 2 year old bundle of energy -- a ginger colored Tabby who loves to explore and play. He likes other cats, but sometimes plays too rough for their liking. He would do best as an only cat or with his brother Tigger whom he gets along with fine. FIV+

Tigger is a people person - a young, grey Tabby in appearance, he loves his humans. He'd love to be a lap cat and get brushed and stroked.

Just don't tell him he is a cat - he hates most other cats! He does however get along with his brother Jimmy (above). If you have a home with no cats, why not take both Tigger and Jimmy. They would give you lots of kitty love. FIV+

If you want an quite cat who loves to be petted and held, then Princess is your best bet.

Princess is a little sweetheart. About 2 years old, she is quiet and a little shy but loves to be held and cuddled after getting to know you better. She has enormous tan-colored eyes and has a long, soft fir. She gets along with other cats after a brief introduction period. FIV+

Captain is a good-natured mature gentleman with black and grey Tabby stripes who tests positive for FIV. He has a hook at the tip of his tail, which prompted his full name of Captain Hook and is approximately 15 years old.

Content to lounge around or sleep most of the day, he is nonetheless mindful of his health and once a day suddenly bursts into a sprint from one end of the house to the other and back. Then it's nap time. FIV+

Yang is a beautiful Seal point Siamese in the prime of his life (approximately 14 years old). He is quite the talker, typical of his breed, and is very loving, yet will also give you your space.

Yang loves to play with string, balls, you name it. I've never seen such an active cat. He also loves to have several windows to look out and he really loves to be walked on a leash to visit the great outdoors. He also loves to sit in your lap and be brushed and petted. FIV+

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