FIV Cat Rescue
Ranked #30 in Nonprofits, #5,611 overall | Donates to FIV Cat Rescue
FIV Cat Rescue
FIV Cat Rescue is a non-profit, located in California, devoted to saving cats that test positive for FIV (Feline immunodeficiency Virus). FIV is the feline world's version of HIV. Yes, the AIDS virus.
30 years after humans freaked over HIV and turned infected people into lepers, they are now passing the stigma onto FIV cats -- all for the same reasons -- fear of the unknown and lack of good information.
At FIV Cat Rescue, we are working very hard and directly with FIV researchers to create programs 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.
Just because a cat tests positive for FIV does not mean they need to be killed. With the proper care, they can live long, healthy, happy lives. Here I'll cover the facts about FIV and what we at FIV Cat Rescue are doing to save FIV cats.
FIV Cat Rescue is currently home to 10 FIV cats ranging in age from 2 years to 15 years old. They are all male except for 3 females. Click FIV Cats Looking For Homes to see our FIV kitties.
Logo: SnoBall our first rescued FIV cat
Copyright 2009 FIV Cat Rescue
FIV Cat Rescue - How it Began
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 No matter how old and outdated the information.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.
Photo: Copyright 2006, Frankie Kangas
Dedicated to these 4 beautiful kittens - Our devastating introduction to FIV
What is FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)
FIV is a virus
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
Copyright 2008, Frankie Kangas
Cats who have been vaccinated AGAINST FIV will test positive for FIV antibodies forever!
Our Ultimate Goal
Stop the Killing of FIV positive cats
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.
Our Mission
How we educate about and rescue FIV cats
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
Photo: Copyright 2008, Frankie Kangas
6 Things you should know about FIV
What is FIV and how does it affect cats?
- 1Nursing kittens can carry the antibodies of an infected mother without being infected itself. In fact, a kitten that tests positive should be retested after 6 months of age.
- 2Cats who have been vaccinated AGAINST FIV will test positive FOR FIV antibodies forever!
- 3Most FIV positive cats do NOT develop AIDS.
- 4Cats with FIV can live long, healthy lives.
- 5Animal shelters routinely kill cats that test positive for FIV.
- 6Humans cannot be infected with FIV; FIV is a cats-only infection.
How is FIV transmitted?
And, How it is NOT transmitted
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. Most kittens that test positive for FIV before the age of 6 months have been passed their mother's antibodies. When they are tested again after 6 months of age, most will test negative. A very, very small number actually get FIV from the birthing process or from nursing.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)
Photo: Copyright 2008, Frankie Kangas
What is the test for FIV?
FIV Blood Tests
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 is NOT a death sentence!
live long, healthy and happy lives.
How to keep an FIV cat healthy
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
Photo: Copyright 2009, Frankie Kangas
Help save FIV+ cats by donating here
Every Dollar Helps
FIV Cat Rescue's mission is to 1) stop the killing of FIV cats, 2) find lifelong homes for them, 3) educate the public about FIV (Feline immunodeficiency Virus), and 4) promote spay and neuter to reduce cat over-population, spread of FIV and euthanasia.
Isolation of an FIV+ cat is not necessary in a stable household unless the FIV+ cat is likely to fight with the other residents.
FIV Cats live with Non-FIV Cats
FIV Cats can live with non-aggressive non-FIV cats
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.
Photo: Snoball
Photo: Copyright 2008, Frankie Kangas
Keep Your FIV Cat Healthy
New FIV Research Makes Cats Glow
Fluorescent Felines
Get Tax Deduction for Your Rescue Work
Tax Benefits for Caring For Stray, Feral and homeless cats
Support our cause with this t-shirt
Support FIV Cat Rescue
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!
Make a personalized gift at Zazzle.
Don't Forget To Spay Or Neuter Your Cat
Neutered Cats Are Healthier And Happier
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?
ASPCA's Low-Cost Spay/ Neuter Resource
Info on low cost spay/ neuter resource
Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Programs
ASPCA has a special link for you to find low-cost spay/neuter programs in your community. Simply go toLow-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
Wonderful Cats Looking For Homes
James "Jimmy" Bond
Handsome and Cat-tankerous
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
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+
Princess
A Lovely Young Lady
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 Hook
A Real Gentleman
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, The Wonder Cat
A Beautiful Seal Point Siamese
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+
Sites offering advice on FIV and FeLV
- Feline Leukemia and AIDS Health and Treatment Tips
- I rescued a Siamese cat that had been abandoned to a wooded area that was close to my home. This tomcat was outside for close to a year and he was infected with Feline Leukemia and AIDS virus. This blog features helpful articles and ongoing health and treatment tips based on Sam my Siamese cat.
FIV Cat Rescue's Wish List
Cat trees on eBay
Guestbook for Your Feedback
Share You thoughts
Please use this guest book to share your thoughts and/or questions about this lens. Thank you. You can also...
-
-
veryirie
May 29, 2012 @ 6:02 pm | delete
- Bless you for your tireless work with these wonderful animals. You must have been devestated when the shelter put down the kittens. Breaks my heart too. I'm an animal lover too. Needless deaths can be eliminated by spay and neutering at 4 months. :(
-
-
-
Angela Santarelli
May 29, 2012 @ 3:54 pm | delete
- I have 3 kittens that I just found out have FIVS. I am heartbroken over this. I bottle fed, litter trained and make them into such lovable kittens. I am looking for furEVER homes for them. Just dont know what websites I can get to that offer such assistance. I'm on facebook! https://www.facebook.com/angela.novack
-
-
-
bloomingrose
May 2, 2012 @ 1:21 pm | delete
- This is a lovely, extremely informative lens. I came here as part of a challenge to find a lens that I would love to share, and I definitely want to get the word out about any kind of animal rescue. I sent this out to google plus - I like to use them because as you increase the groups that you send it out to they allow you to add additional people - and also pinned it to two of my boards: Cats and Squidoo Lenses worth Blessing.
-
-
-
virginian
Apr 4, 2012 @ 9:47 pm | delete
- Wonderful information. I'm a feline lover; have one indoor cat and am feeding a stray. Wished I could have more cats but my cat doesn't get along with others. Bless you for caring for these animals.
-
-
-
justforcats
Apr 3, 2012 @ 10:58 pm | delete
- I'm so sorry about your kittens. In Maryland, my rescue (howardcountycats.org) takes in FIV cats. We don't place them in strictly indoor homes though, because we believe the "strictly indoor" lifestyle is way too stressful for cats who have lived outside.
-
-
-
Frankster Apr 12, 2012 @ 5:01 pm | delete
- Thank your for all you do for FIV cats. I understand the question of stress of living indoors for cats who have lived outside. Bear hugs, Frankie
-
-
-
fdurham
Apr 3, 2012 @ 7:45 pm | delete
- Great topic. I learned so much. Thanks for sharing this information. My cat was a stray and tested slightly positive for FIV. She tested negative at 6 months.
-
-
-
soaringsis Apr 3, 2012 @ 2:42 pm | delete
- Great lens, I would love to have a kitten, but do to collectors items, it is a no go, due to the climbing and tail wagging, which knocks items down (no harm intended by the cats). So maybe at a later date it may be possible. I was not aware of FIV.
-
-
-
Heather
Mar 31, 2012 @ 8:25 pm | delete
- Yes I love this topic page, as I have been researching about FIV. I recently took in a male cat who came back positive for FIV. I was originally going to take him for adoption to the local shelter after getting him neutered, But At the lake City animal shelter their policy is to put down all FIV and Felv cats. This is sad because ironically enough Mister my FIV +pos cat is actually the most docile cat and loves all animals and people although he is a bit skiddish at times, I suspect someone did miss treat him. Anyways I have been at odds about what to do with and am trying to find either a rescue group, a home with already FIV+ cats or a home with no cats. I am tempted to keep him myself but I have maybe like 8 cats already- lol that is alot and charlie Chaplin is a very sickly and maybe one or two others as well. So I just don't know what to do. Thanks for a site like this as it really in it's own rite helps.. Thank you
-
-
-
spellbindingsisters
Mar 23, 2012 @ 6:17 pm | delete
- I loved this lens...it is very personal for me. Two of the most amazing cats I ever was honored to own were both FIV positive, one was a stray I took in he was about 4 when he became part of our family his name was Yogi Bear, the second was a cat I adopted through the Space Coast Feline network his name was Spooky he too was FIV Positive and about 6 when I adopted him. Both have since passed on (my heart forever aches for them both) I donated because it feels like a tribute to my sweet fuzzy faces. Please DONATE every little bit counts.
-
- Load More
Want to link to this page? Here's how.
WANT TO LINK TO THIS PAGE?
Here's the HTML code to copy and paste:
<a href="http://www.squidoo.com/fiv-cat-rescue/" title="Click Here to visit FIV Cat Rescue">FIV Cat Rescue</a>
Every Donation, no matter how small helps!
Won't you help save these wonderful cats?
FIV Cat Rescue's mission is to 1) stop the killing of FIV cats, 2) find lifelong homes for them, 3) educate the public about FIV (Feline immunodeficiency Virus), and 4) promote spay and neuter to reduce cat over-population, spread of FIV and euthanasia.
Copyright
This work is covered by copyright and can not be reprinted
in any matter (physical or digital) without prior written consent.
Copyright 2009-2012 FIV Cat Rescue All rights reserved.
by Frankster
I'm Frankster, aka Bearmeister aka Cat-Woman
I am a property manager, sculptor, animal and nature lover. I founded and am Executive Director of FIV Cat...
more »
- 89 featured lenses
- Winner of 19 trophies!
- Top lens » Are You Polar Bear Aware?
- This lens »
Won purple star
Explore related pages
- How To Bathe a Cat How To Bathe a Cat
- Cats Just Wanna Have Fun Cats Just Wanna Have Fun
- Cat Trees: The Ultimate Furniture For Pampered Cats Cat Trees: The Ultimate Furniture For Pampered Cats
- Cat Carriers for Safety and Comfort Cat Carriers for Safety and Comfort
- Poisonous Plants For Cats and Dogs Poisonous Plants For Cats and Dogs
- How To Choose A Cat Bed How To Choose A Cat Bed
Walk Your Cat
Pet Gear Sportster Pet Stroller for cats and dogs up to 45-pounds, Mango
Amazon Price: $120.00 (as of 06/01/2012)
Your cat, whether indoor or outdoor cat, will love this view of the world. In a safe environment, they can watch the world go by, get fresh air and meet new people all in the safety of this cat walker. Don't expect your pet to get any exercise with this stroller, but you will!
3-Tiered Cat Cage
Midwest Homes for Pets 36 inches long by 23.5 inches wide by 50.5 inches high Cat Playpen
Amazon Price: $129.99 (as of 06/01/2012)
A great place for the rescue group or for a new litter or when introducing a new cat to you home.
Cat Scratching Fun.
Cat Scratching Play House
Amazon Price: $12.00 (as of 06/01/2012)
