Thursday, March 28, 2024
cats for adoptionDaily Feature

Cats for Adoption: Five for FIV from Pittsburgh CAT!

Freddy couldn't get much cuter.
Freddy couldn’t get much cuter.

Introducing FIVE for FIV!!!!! For the month of November all of Pittsburgh CAT’s FIV positive cats will be $5. (Regular application process still applies).

111615-Freddy

Today I’m featuring a collection of FIV+ cats who’ve come into the care of Pittsburgh CAT. Some of them have been rescued by one of our volunteers and later tested positive for FIV through several tests. Others were accepted into our care from shelters who have no facility to care for FIV+ cats—in-home care is one thing, but life in a shelter is far more stressed, and with more chances to encounter multiple illnesses, for a cat with an already compromised immune system. FIV+ cats are often euthanized in shelters for that reason. Pittsburgh CAT is happy to save their lives and help shelters meet their goals of finding home or foster for all animals who come into their care.

Lester
Lester

About these cats

All of these cats are adults and vary in age from two years old to about five years old; of course, with rescued cats it’s hard to know exactly how old they are. But all of them are spayed or neutered, up to date on vaccines, has had any treatments necessary for their health such as dental procedures, is healthy enough to go to a forever home, and currently lives in a foster situation so the foster home can describe the cat’s personality and tell you more about their background.

111615-Brooks

About Feline Immunodeficiency Virus or FIV

FIV or “feline immunodeficiency virus” is similar to HIV in people, but infected cats can live a long and healthy life with the virus without any need for treatment. They can also live with other cats without infecting them—because FIV is most easily transmitted via saliva through deep bite wounds, spaying and neutering and keeping the cat indoors so that it doesn’t fight with other cats has been found to be the most effective way to stop transmission. It’s not contagious to dogs or people in any way. And so often these FIV+ cats are just big sweethearts. You can read more about FIV on the Cornell University Feline Health Center site.

111615-Basil

FIV Facts

These are compiled and provided to adopters by Pittsburgh CAT.

  • FIV is a cat-only disease and cannot be spread to humans or other non-felines.
  • The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is a slow virus that affects a cat’s immune system over a period of years.
  • FIV cats most often live long, healthy, and relatively normal lives with few or no symptoms.
  • FIV is not easily passed between cats. It cannot be spread causally, like in litter boxes, water or food bowls, or when snuggling and playing.
  • A neutered cat in a home is extremely unlikely to infect other cats, if properly introduced.
  • The virus can be spread through blood transfusions, badly infected gums, or serious, penetrating bite wounds.
  • Many vets are not educated about FIV since the virus was only discovered 15 years ago.
  • FIV-positive cats should be kept as healthy as possible by keeping them indoors and free from stress. Feed a high-quality diet and treat any secondary medical problems as soon as they arise.

111615-Joey

Is it Difficult to Care for an FIV-positive cat?

FIV-positive cats require no special medication or additional care beyond the diligence you’d use in caring for any cat. Dr. Virginia Clemans, former chief veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, explains that, “the virus affects the immune system, so keep FIV cats indoors. Make sure they get regular vaccinations. And give them a high-quality diet. Keep an eye on them, and take them to the veterinarian at the first sign of illness.” Same as any cat.

111615-Aretha

So go and visit them! You can see them here on the Pittsburgh CAT Facebook page.

111615-Franklin


Amazon Wish Lists

amazon wish list for kittens
The Amazon Wish List for our group’s foster kittens.

Many rescuers pay out of pocket for veterinary care and food but the costs of raising even the average litter of four healthy kittens is more than many people have, and many rescues have greater needs. Pittsburgh CAT has a number of wish lists that include foods for feeding neo-natal kittens like KMR, and other lists that include the best kitten foods, adult cat foods, food and materials for feral cats, and preferred toys and litter.

Pittsburgh CAT Wish List: http://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/2IUQ0FQOL2I51

2015 Foster Cat/Kitten Wish List: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1A1HUNQ7J3DL/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go_v?

Winter Kitten Wish List! http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/3CZ6IYCKS2A7N/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go_v?

Fall Wishlist for Fosters/Ferals! http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/2TD3TQBOEMT1E/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go_v?

Food For Foster Kittens: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/OJQIYGC91289/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go_v?

Our Groups Foster Kittens! http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1D226142CCGZX/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go_v?


Can’t adopt? Foster! Can’t foster? Donate or volunteer.

There are so many ways you can help cats who need homes and care. You may not have room to adopt another cat, but can foster a cat or kitten for a few weeks. If not that, you can volunteer at a shelter or with a rescue, or donate. You do this because you love your cat, and by doing so you help all cats. No matter which of these actions you take, you help to save a life, and make life better for all cats.

  • Adopt one of the cats I’ve posted here, or from any shelter or rescue near you, or from Petfinder, to open up a space for another cat to be rescued and fostered.
  • Offer to foster cats or kittens for a shelter or rescue near you.
  • Volunteer at a shelter or rescue.
  • Find a group of volunteers who work with homeless cats and help them with their efforts.
  • Donate to a shelter or rescue near you.

If you can foster kittens or adults cats to help prepare them for a forever home, please run to your nearest shelter and find a cat who needs you! Anyone can help with this effort at any level, even if all you do is donate to a shelter or rescue so they can help to pay for the food or medications needed for their foster, or the spay/neuter/veterinary care during a clinic.

Need to know more? Read Fostering for Your Shelter and Fostering Saves Lives


Browse some rescued cats and kittens—browse here or visit PittsburghCAT!

cats and kittens
Gallery view of Pittsburgh CAT cats for adoption.

All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in using one in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of this image or a product including this image, check my Etsy shop to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit Ordering Custom Artwork for more information on a custom greeting card, print or other item.


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Weekly schedule of features:
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Bernadette

From health and welfare to rescue and adoption stories, advocacy and art, factual articles and fictional stories, "The Creative Cat" offers both visual and verbal education and entertainment about cats for people who love cats, pets and animals of all species.

2 thoughts on “Cats for Adoption: Five for FIV from Pittsburgh CAT!

  • all de best two everee one….we troo lee hope yur for everz peepulz iz on ther way ta sign sum adoptshunz paperz like rite now & yur all chillaxin in yur new place by pie day ~~~ ♥♥♥

    Reply

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