Myths About Feline Aids
February 24th, 2008 
houndsgood Posted in adoptable, cats |
There is a cat right now at Heard County Animal Control that had someone excited about adopting him. She lived in a place where she was allowed to have a cat, and the rest of the family approved. However, when they found out that the cat had Feline Immunodificiency Virus (aka Feline AIDS), the other decision maker balked and said that a cat like that would never set foot in the house.
Let me dispel some common misconceptions.
1) Feline AIDS is not human AIDS. It cannot be spread to humans. Not through the air, not through the saliva, not by being bitten.
2) Feline AIDS can only be transmitted to other cats. Therefore, a FIV+ cat can have a great life in a home as a single house cat, or with other FIV+ cats.
3) A cat cannot transmit to another cat by breathing the same air. Only if a cat bites another one or is bitten, attempts to mate with another cat, etc. The best prevention is to spay/neuter your cat and keep them indoors.
4) Since Feline AIDS can only be transmitted to other felines, it is safe to have dogs, rabbits, birds, and other pets living with and interacting with the cat.
5) Cats with Feline AIDS can typically live ten years. They may appear symptom free for a number of years before succumbing.
4) Thousands and thousands Feline AIDS Positive cats are euthanized immediately when the come into the shelter as few will adopt them. Part of it is an attempt to not give FIV+ cats to people who may pass them on to others without educating them about the cat’s condition. Part of it is because they are unlikely to find a home due to misinformation.
If you are looking for a single cat who won’t have any other cats in the home, or you already have a FIV+ cat, consider adopting a special needs FIV+ cat. By adopting one, your local rescue has room to save another cat.
This boy is currently at Heard County Animal Control. He has a chance of going to a sanctuary for special needs cats, but if someone would be so kind as to adopt him, two cats can be saved as there will be another slot open in rescue. And it would be awesome for this big orange boy to be adored in a home of his very own.
Cat #7408 - Out of area adoptions welcome.
Heard County Animal Control Center
11818 Ga Hwy 100
Franklin, GA 30217
Phone: 706-675-3570
| 2.9 (2 people) |
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February 25th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Oh my goodness. It just breaks my heart when such beautiful animals are thrown aside because of a human being’s ignorance. I am sadly nowhere near Georgia and know no one in the entire state or I would gladly put out the word. I am bummed that this animal is without a family to love him.
Perhaps the shelter could post your facts about the disease on his cage? Maybe people will become less ignorant this way and be more likely to give him a home?
February 25th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
There are very few visitors to the shelter that come in off the streets. Almost all of the pets are rescued or adopted by people who saw them posted on the internet as there are is little foot traffic. The internet is what motivates people to take an hour, two hour, or five hour + drive to meet a pet. The shelter educates people really well and the person knew about the cats conditin but her parents refused to allow the cat into their home when they heard the word “AIDS” and may have looked elsewhere for a cat to add to the family.
If you know anyone who would like to adopt in a surrounding state, please contact the shelter.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
This guy is so handsome! I REALLY hope someone will give him a chance. He looks a lot like my big orange kitty. I also posted about him in the hopes that someone could see past his FIV.
On another note, I absolutely love reading your blog! As such, I’d like to pass on a couple blog awards I received this morning to HoundsGood
You can get them here: http://saveashelterpet.blogspot.com/2008/02/awards-galore.html
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:46 am
Thanks for the information, it was helpful.