that's so awesome, Joslin! My vet is young and open minded - the clinic onwers of the place she is at always 'suggests' that FIV and FeLV kitties be put down. Because we have both, and have gone through learning experiences with these kitties, she no longer suggests this to clients. Same with the staff there. We are in a position to change minds. When people chat with me in the waiting room and ask about our cute cat, I always work it in that he's FIV and that we have a FeLV too. I remember when I was uneducated about this and thought there were no options because that is what I had been told by 'experts', and my mind was changed. Shannon
--- On Sun, 1/9/11, Joslin Potter <joslinir...@yahoo.com> wrote: From: Joslin Potter <joslinir...@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] observations from adoption process... To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Date: Sunday, January 9, 2011, 12:20 AM Natalie, My vet is the same way, when we found out about Zoey I about had a emotional breakdown, she gave me a hug and said it was not a death sentence, just a different way of living. He has been symptom free since he got sick & we found out, they are more than wonderful too as far as constant check ups and good care. ~Joz & Zoey~ ________________________________ From: Natalie <at...@optonline.net> To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Sent: Sat, January 8, 2011 10:34:16 PM Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] observations from adoption process... You cannot believe how many people, when they find out that their cat is FeLV positive, ask the vets to immediately kill them! My vet, is the last one to ask - he will NEVER do it. But there are many vets who actually suggest to their clients that the kindest thing to do is to put them out of their misery, when they're not even exhibiting any symptoms yet. I get calls from such people, asking if I would take their cat - my response is, why can't you keep the cat you claim to love so much? I happen to have two, because I had no choice, but I wasn't going to throw them out, not accept them, or have them killed. They're wonderful cats, but I doubt that anyone will adopt them - so I will have them for life. I wish there were a decent place for FeLV cats - but as nice as some of them may appear, they are NOT - not in this area. -----Original Message----- From: felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] On Behalf Of Emeraldkittee Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2011 6:08 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: [Felvtalk] observations from adoption process... Just wanted to share something I have encountered - we are considering a pal for Whimsy, and have been in touch with wonderful, amazing rescues, shelters, and fosters. I have encountered many times kitties who have never had an IFA and sometimes only one ELISA. Obviously, this doesn't sit quite right with me, and I need an IFA. Of course, it's an expensive test and totally understandable why it's not done as much. I have offered to pay for one (for a kitty who has lived in a cage for a year) and wish I could get all of those in question this luxury. It's a dilema I didn't anticipate. I have had to explain on many occasions what it is as well. I'm so touched by all the passion and committment out there for these special kitties. You wouldn't believe the long, stunned silence on the phone when I ask "Do you have any Feline Leukemia kitties for adoption?" I've had shelter people shout for joy and almost cry at my inquiry. It's also made me aware of where I will be directing my donations to. My favorite local shelter takes care of these guys, but I am definitely going to redirect my other donations to smaller groups that care for these sweethearts - that welcome them with open arms. I realize, too, that having Whismy come into my life, for however long it may be, has made me an advocate for FeLV adoptions, and when you start see how many people you can inform, you truly see how to effect change. It may be one person in one waiting room at your vet clinic, but if that gives one of these cats the chance to live out their years, it is definitely powerful action. The horror of the inital diagnosis seems to disipate and you see...yes, we can handle it; if not us, who? Shannon and Whimsy _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org _______________________________________________ Felvtalk mailing list Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
