i've stayed out of this one because it seemed a bit too weird, and i didn't really have anything to add.
but i do remember when we were looking into insurance at the sanctuary (where about 300 of the 600 cats were FIV and FeLV), we were never asked a single question about what sorts of cats we had, or whether or not we were adopting them out. this email reminded me of what a friend who's been in the insurance business for 30 years told us, tho--that VOLUNTEERS at a shelter/sanctuary were considered to have acknowledged and accepted the risks involved with working with fanged and clawed critters (and most volunteer apps/agreements remind them of that,) but that the VISITORS, as mentioned here, are the issue. important distinction, but not the primary one here. i'm wondering if it's a state law thing: in KS, and possibly in MA (tho we need someone to track the latter down), it is essentially illegal to adopt out FIVs or FeLVs: if they come into a shelter, there are two options and two options only. they can be killed, or they can be kept until they pass over the bridge. they can't be adopted out, they can't be transferred to another rescue/shelter, they can't even be fostered out. we think that the actual law in KS is being misinterpreted and misapplied, and suspect the same in MA, as in both places, FIVs and FeLVs have been adopted and fostered out for years, and in KS we've talked with shelters and animal-control officers who've never heard about this. the state dept of agriculture is usually who licenses and inspects facilities; i know from your website and facebook page that you've been doing all the legal stuff--if they didn't mention anything to you, it seems unlikely that it's state law that's involved. perhaps your inspector might have some insight? MC -- Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors! Maybe That'll Make The Difference.... MaryChristine Special-Needs Coordinator, Purebred Cat Breed Rescue (www.purebredcats.org) Member, SCAT (Special-Cat Action Team) _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list [email protected] http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
