When they were 3 years old, Salome', Samantha and Arielle all tested
positive for FeLV when Samantha became so ill I had to take her to the
vet. I did not know that she was FeLV positive. I had had them all
from their kittenhood.
Samantha died within days of her diagnosis. Arielle died a year and a
half later. A month after Arielle left me, I adopted Siggie, an 11 month
old negative. He remains negative to this day, and was allowed to live
along side of all of the FeLV+ cats I adopted after him. Gareth and Alec
came to me as fosters in September of 2001 when Siggie was 1 year and 4 months
old. He remained negative and up to date on his FeLV booster.
Gareth left me in February of 2003, and Alec left me in March 2003. I
STILL had Salome', the only positive left in the house. In February
of 2004 I adopted 2 more negatives. They remain negative.
Salome' passed away this past September 2005. She passed from
end stage liver disease and kidney failure. She was 9-1/2 years old.
And she was FeLV positive.
She was our joy, and the kitty love of my husband's life. She will be
greatly missed.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, April 10, 2006 12:22
AM
Subject: I need your help
Dear all
I'll try to make this as brief/concise as
possible.
Because of what happened with Pookie, Paula Fasseas, the
founder/owner of the shelter, PAWS, called me. I would never normally have had
a chance to speak to her---she's a society high-flier who owns banks (yup, you
read that right) and started up PAWS just a few years ago when her small
daughter suggested doing something for animals.
Pookie wasn't positive, but at some point in our
conversation she mentioned leukemia in passing.
Now, PAWS is building a 7-million dollar state of the art
shelter in Chicago, with adoption suites (and much more space I've heard given
to dogs than cats). I had also heard from 2 reliable sources that this shelter
was NOT going to have space for FeLV cats which saddened and sickened me. All
this money and effort, and no support for FeLV kitties.
I kept thinking I should write to Paula
Fasseas.
So when *leukemia* came up in the phone call, this was a
never-to-be-repeated chance.
I asked her if there was to be an annex for FeLV cats in the
new facility letting her know that I had had 6 FeLV cats at one
point and they have a special place in my heart. I was expecting her to say
no. But, she said that there was an 8x16 room they could probably use for
that... !
And we then got talking a bit about FeLV and I explained why
they *should* be included in the new shelter.
She got quite animated and enthused about the idea, and I
said I'd send her this wonderful website address (which i already
did).
However, yesterday it occurred to me that i should send a PS
with some brief case histories from you wonderful people, to illustrate in a
very real way why FeLV cats should be given a chance the same as other
cats.
As an example, my statement will prob say something
like:
"I took in a colony of 6 cats, 5 of whom tested positive.
Four of them, Caramel, Levi, Flavia and Snowball, kittens when I got them,
enjoyed quality lives for between 1-2 years, playing and roughhousing and
grooming and cuddling and enjoying their food and treats like all kittens
do.They loved to play ping pong in the middle of the night--I was frequently
wakened by the thud-thud against the door! Mickey is still going strong,
and cuddles and plays with Momcat, who incidentally is and retested negative.
Kerry M"
If any of you--particularly those of you whose cats have
lived longer, could email me a brief description with their names, ages, and
also whether you mix too--I'll compile them and send them on. Please note I
may edit for space so she can read them quickly.
I got the impression Paula Fasseas didn't know a whole lot
about FeLV but that she was very very open to knowing more, and in educating
the public--she talked enthusiastically about doing that at the shelter. I
said that if I could help in any way I would.
This is SUCH a great opportunity, and I'd like to make
the most of it, and I feel it would really really help if I can send her
brief real-life examples, from my FeLV-list friends, of FeLV kitties living
quality lives!
Thanks in advance!!!!! Kerry
M.
