Extra-Special CatsFor Adoption! |
What makes a cat “extra-special”? At Love A Stray we believe that ALL cats are special. Yet some cats have challenges that can make it difficult for them to find the loving forever homes they deserve. This could be a well-managed medical need; a physical handicap; an emotional need or FIV+. Each cat you see here has so much love to give in so many different and rewarding ways. They just need that wonderful person (maybe you?) to recognize the gifts they have to offer and give them their big chance to shine and love!
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Sneakers - 4 years oldSneakers is a 3-legged, short-haired, grey tabby and white male cat who was born around December, 2015. He was found living outside with an injured paw. After he was rescued, the veterinarian determined that his leg needed to be removed because of the injury.
While healthy, Sneakers tested positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). FIV is a type of "slow virus" that affects the cat's immune system. FIV is a cat-only virus and cannot be passed in casual contact between cats. Cats with FIV often live long and perfectly normal, symptom-free lives. (Note that identical FIV positive test results occur for cats that are vaccinated for FIV as for cats with the actual virus). Learn about FIV + below. Even though he is a disabled kitty he gets around very well at his foster home and he loves to do everything others kitties do. He loves to play with toys, climb on the couch or bed and go to the basement to catch mice. He gets along well with the other foster kitties. Please consider allowing Sneakers to be your Forever Kitty! Adopt Me! |
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Rhett - 4 years oldRhett is a short-haired, solid grey male cat who was born around July 2015. He was found in the woods near the Cleveland Clinic in Lorain and only weighed 6 pounds when he came to LAS. He is shy but very sweet when he is comfortable with you. He seems to do well with other cats. He loves to be petted and loves attention. Rhett is neutered, current on vaccines and tested negative for feline leukemia but positive for FIV. He would be fine in a home with FIV negative cats. For more information, please call Ellen at (440) 934-5418. Adopt Me!
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What is FIV?
FIV is a type of "slow virus" that affects the cat's immune system. FIV is a cat-only virus and cannot be passed in casual contact between cats.
FIV+ cats might be considered by some to be “special needs” cats because, while they are healthy and live quite normal lives, they have tested positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). FIV+ cats have long lived under a cloud of confusion and misunderstanding. Now, fortunately, that is much less the case as the medical community has become more and more aware of what the presence of FIV really means. We now know that FIV is basically a virus whose presence has the potential to cause some weakening of a cats’ immune system. It does not seem to have much impact on lifespan, as FIV+ cats can and do live quite normal lives, in quality, in duration and in happiness. Experience, studies and the medical research community have, for numerous years now, watched positive cats live peacefully together with non-positive cats without transference. It takes a seriously deep bite wound or blood transfusion from an FIV+ cat to infect another so a typical household where cats live in harmony can blend FIV+ and FIV- cats without worry. It is more difficult for FIV+ cats to find their forever homes though, because of the previous stigmas associated with the presence of FIV. The pet stores we participate with limit FIV+ cats from their adoption locations. The special cats you see here are being well cared for in loving foster homes or at our shelter, but that is just temporary; these great cats deserve a wonderful forever home. They have so very much to give. Please consider opening your home and hearts to one or more of these beloved cats.
For further information, a good article about FIV can be found at catster.com, resources.bestfriends.org/article/fiv-cats-faqs-feline-immunodeficiency-virus, or fivcats.com.
FIV+ cats might be considered by some to be “special needs” cats because, while they are healthy and live quite normal lives, they have tested positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). FIV+ cats have long lived under a cloud of confusion and misunderstanding. Now, fortunately, that is much less the case as the medical community has become more and more aware of what the presence of FIV really means. We now know that FIV is basically a virus whose presence has the potential to cause some weakening of a cats’ immune system. It does not seem to have much impact on lifespan, as FIV+ cats can and do live quite normal lives, in quality, in duration and in happiness. Experience, studies and the medical research community have, for numerous years now, watched positive cats live peacefully together with non-positive cats without transference. It takes a seriously deep bite wound or blood transfusion from an FIV+ cat to infect another so a typical household where cats live in harmony can blend FIV+ and FIV- cats without worry. It is more difficult for FIV+ cats to find their forever homes though, because of the previous stigmas associated with the presence of FIV. The pet stores we participate with limit FIV+ cats from their adoption locations. The special cats you see here are being well cared for in loving foster homes or at our shelter, but that is just temporary; these great cats deserve a wonderful forever home. They have so very much to give. Please consider opening your home and hearts to one or more of these beloved cats.
For further information, a good article about FIV can be found at catster.com, resources.bestfriends.org/article/fiv-cats-faqs-feline-immunodeficiency-virus, or fivcats.com.