Approximately 1.5 to 3 percent of healthy cats are infected with the feline immunodeficiency virus, more commonly known as FIV+. FIV decreases the ability of the immune system to fight some infections. Humans and other animals, such as dogs, cannot catch FIV. Cats with FIV are better off as a one cat household though cats with FIV can live together in a household with other cats if they are all non-aggressive. Most commonly transmitted via bites during cat fights, the virus is present in the saliva of infected cats. It is passed beneath the skin of the victim when he is bitten. At greatest risk of infection are outdoor, unneutered adult male tom cats, as they are the most likely to engage in aggressive, territorial fights. Cats that live together without fighting and are easy going in nature are at little risk for becoming infected.

Understanding the facts of FIV is the only way to overcome the stigma associated with this condition. TLC is very proud we have educated hundreds of people on understanding FIV and to get across that it is not this horrible disease with no hope. In 2007 alone, TLC has adopted out over 30 FIV+ cats – all to great homes that fully understand this disease. Many times cats with FIV cannot be accommodated in shelters, but TLC has two rooms in our new shelter designed for FIV+ cats. Our local SPCA believes that healthy and friendly FIV+ cats are adoptable and support our efforts by contributing $150.00 per month towards the rent for us to house FIV+ cats. What a great team effort - TLC and the SPCA working together to save these special cats! Please consider adopting an FIV cat. They did not ask for this disease and they are just as loving and deserving as any other cats. FIV cats can live a long, healthy life under controlled conditions. One of our vets has a 15-year old FIV cat. Currently TLC has seventeen FIV+ cats living healthy and content lives in our shelter while waiting for their forever home.