Re: Felv+/FIV+ policy for rescues

[Lernermichelle]

I would test all of them, because you do not want to adopt out without knowing, both because of contagion and because you then will not know what the person/family will do if the cat later tests positive by surprise. If you are going to adopt a positive to someone, you want to know and make sure they can and will handle it.   Once tested, I would keep the felv+ cats separate, for sure.  My cats came from a cageless shelter where they were not kept completely separate-- some were allowed to live in the outdoor/indoor area with the ferals. Although the ferals are vaccinated, occasionally one or two gets sick and tests positive. I would not do that to any cat, and in a large rescue situation you are going to be risking it if you mix them.   FIV is slightly less of a problem to mix, because it can only be spread through bites. However, in a rescue situation, with cats coming and going, you can never really predict or prevent fights. So to be safe, if possible, I would keep them separate also, in their own area. I definitely would not mix fiv and felv, as their immune systems are both weak and they are therefore each more likely to pick up the other disease.   You would need to realize, though, that you would probably end up keeping, ie acting as a sanctuary, for the ones that test positive for felv, unless you have a relationship with a sactuary like best friends or sherry's sanctuary that will take them. Occasionally you can adopt one out, but not often. FIV you might have more luck adopting out, but probably not a whole lot more luck.  I saw one shelter do a very creative adoption drive advertising FIV+ cats, and explaining what FIV is, at a gay pride festival, clearly thinking that people who are sensitive to and understand HIV will be more likely to be willing to listen about and take on a cat with FIV.  I have no idea if it worked, though. I just saw the booth at the festival and asked them some questions, but never followed up.  I would try it, though, if I were trying to find homes for FIV+ cats. Of course, FIV is actually less problematic than HIV, as cats can live long lives with it without needing complicated cocktails of meds.  FeLV is more like HIV, I think, although worse because we do not have a good drug cocktail to handle it yet.  and the name does not sound the same.   My two cents.    Michelle   In a message dated 11/12/2006 6:20:36 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hi guys,   If you were establishing a rescue, what kind of felv/fiv testing policy would you use?  If the cats were positive for either or both, what would you do?   Thanks for your input.   Kelley