Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters

[Kelley Saveika]

On Mon, Mar 23, 2009 at 10:15 AM, Stray Cat Alliance <
stray_cat_allia...@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
> Respectfully Patrica, I could not agree less. A positive result does not
> mean death is imminent. A healthy cat can suddenly become ill - just like
> people - does that mean that cat should be euthanized? This is a "what if"
> scenario.
>
>
Realities of life in kill shelters - cats are killed for having URI,
ringwom, and other things that are 100% curable.  Here locally they do not
necessarily kill cats who test pos for FELV and FIV, but few rescues will
take them, and they won't put them in their adoption program, so I'd say
while 70% of all cats at our local kill shelter are killed, maybe 95-99% of
FELV+ cats are killed.  This list can be a great networking tool in placing
FELV+ cats, we just placed one in January, but we really do not have fosters
who will/can take them, she was an anomaly we found outside.

>
>
> You have done marvelous things in placing all of those cats. I think the
> problem is that we need massive spay/neuter programs - targeting pets of low
> income individuals and feral cats. Also shelters should not accept feral
> cats at all as they will simply be euthanized there. Instead,
> Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the answer - the only proven method. Pet cats of
> low income who cannot afford spay/neuter often roam and give birth to feral
> cats who supply an incredible amount of kittens to rescues and shelters.
>

Unfortunately I have pushed for our local kill shelter to not accept feral
cats and they refuse to even consider it.  It is very forward thinking to
not accept ferals.  San Antonio, TX does not, I believe Erie County NY
doesn't, maybe yall can name some other places.

We have a spay/neuter program called HATS (Homebound Animal Transport
Services) in which we take animals of the elderly and homebound to be
spayed/neutered at no cost to them.  We also do TNR work.  But the money
isn't there for us to do it on a "massive" scale.

>
>
>
> Spay/neuter itself is the one thing that does the most to reduce the
> occurence of these viruses (FIV and Felv).
>
> I agree completely.

Kelley

>  


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Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters

[dlgegg]

Amen to that too!  it is up to those who do care to work harder to change all 
those who don't.  dorlis
 Belinda Sauro  wrote: 
>I agree 100% with Anita, we live in a world where more and more 
> people become less responsible, less humane and less caring about 
> anything *but* themselves.  Until that changes nothing else will.
> 
> -- 
> 
> Belinda
> happiness is being owned by cats ...
> 
> http://bemikitties.com
> 
> http://BelindaSauro.com
> 
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Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters

[dlgegg]

what about putting them onto this group.  if they would take the time to read 
some of the posts, they could see that cats can live with felv.  they can be 
adopted out , just explain the possible problems that could, not definetly will 
come up so the adoptor will be informed and better able to care for the cat.  
at least give them a chance.  dorlis
 souther...@aol.com wrote: 
> 
>  The shelter where I volunteer is a no kill shelter unless the cat tests 
> positive for Feline Leukemia or Feline Aids. If they do, they are immediately 
> euthanized. That day. ?? What I'd like to do is to convince them to give me a 
> few days to see if I can find anyone who will adopt these cats before they 
> are killed.? I understand the theory of the shelter. But they don't look at 
> FeLV + the same way I do.? They truly believe that this is a cat with a death 
> sentence.? Since I have a boy that has lived with me for two years, and lived 
> well, I see that these cats may have a long life ahead if given a chance.? 
> And I know that in some cases you can test a cat, have it test positive, and 
> then test it again in a few weeks and have it test negative. ? This is a 
> small new shelter and they may be amenable to discussion.? And since I had a 
> vet tell me that I should have this cat euthanized when I took him in to be 
> neutered, I guess it's a particularly sore spot with me.? I think the General 
> is pretty happy that I didn't listen to that vet.
> 
> Sidney and the General
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
>  
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: patricia.a.elk...@gsk.com
> To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> Sent: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 8:24 am
> Subject: [Felvtalk]  Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> With respect to the general practice of euthanizing FELV+ cats in 
> shelters, having fostered many cats from
> a big city shelter that of course was underfunded and understaffed, I can 
> say that in my city it is impossible to find foster homes, never mind
> adoptive homes, for all that test positive. 
> 
> Very young kittens cannot be tested reliably and of course, the need for 
> foster homes for the littlest babies is great.
> When fosterers finally test those kittens and find out that one or more is 
> positive, there are really only a couple of options.
> That home can keep the kitten sequestered if possible for retesting when 
> older or take it back to be euthanized.
> Then what happens if the kitten retests positive?  Or what about the older 
> cat that is infected shortly before it gets
> into the shelter and tests negative when going to a foster home but if 
> actually carrying the virus?
> 
> In my case, I ended up with 3 positive one year olds along with my adult 
> cats who are vaccinated.
> I have decided to no longer foster any other cats because, outside of the 
> logistics of separating which would be too hard
> in my situation, I don't want to introduce a new stressor in the house 
> that might trigger the FELV to become active
> in these positive ones.  My answer is to care for these positives for the 
> rest of their lives.
> 
> However, I fostered and found adoptive homes for > 100 kittens and cats in 
> the last two years but now, because I am hospicing these 3 cats, it is 
> fair to 
> say that a good number of cats will die in the next two years as the kill 
> rate is significant here.  It is a really painful fact that I could
> save the lives of many more than three cats if I put these FELV+ cats 
> down.
> 
> Therefore, because healthy happy well adjusted wonderful pet cats are put 
> down every single day of the year in my
> city and probably most other big cities, I think that a policy of 
> euthanizing cats that test positive for an incurable illness before
> euthanizing healthy adoptable cats makes sense.
> ___
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> http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
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Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters

[dlgegg]

Amen to that!  it is hard to convince people of that though.  around here, the 
solution to strays is a bullet.  dorlis
 Stray Cat Alliance  wrote: 
> 
> Respectfully Patrica, I could not agree less. A positive result does not mean 
> death is imminent. A healthy cat can suddenly become ill - just like people - 
> does that mean that cat should be euthanized? This is a "what if" scenario. 
> 
>  
> 
> You have done marvelous things in placing all of those cats. I think the 
> problem is that we need massive spay/neuter programs - targeting pets of low 
> income individuals and feral cats. Also shelters should not accept feral cats 
> at all as they will simply be euthanized there. Instead, Trap-Neuter-Return 
> (TNR) is the answer - the only proven method. Pet cats of low income who 
> cannot afford spay/neuter often roam and give birth to feral cats who supply 
> an incredible amount of kittens to rescues and shelters.
> 
>  
> 
> Spay/neuter itself is the one thing that does the most to reduce the 
> occurence of these viruses (FIV and Felv).
> 
>  
> 
> Best wishes,
> 
> Anita
> 
> 
> 
> "Every year shelters kill almost 5,000,000 cats, dogs, puppies & kittens.  
> 
> Most were beautiful, loving creatures (even feral cats!) that died simply 
> because they did not have a home.  
> Every puppy or kitten born costs a shelter animal its life. 
> 
> Save lives, spay-neuter, support Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) & adopt for life!"
>  
> Visit http://www.castawaycritters.org/info/display?PageID=153 for information 
> on Spay/Neuter in Mid-Central PA
> Visit http://www.alleycat.org and http://www.neighborhoodcats.org for info on 
> humane control of free roaming cats
> Visit http://www.pawsofpa.org for information on spay/neuter clinics and 
> resources in south-central PA
> Join the Yahoo! Group for feral & free roaming cats 
> http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/feralcatsinsouthcentralpa/
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> > To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> > From: patricia.a.elk...@gsk.com
> > Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:24:35 -0400
> > Subject: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters
> > 
> > With respect to the general practice of euthanizing FELV+ cats in 
> > shelters, having fostered many cats from
> > a big city shelter that of course was underfunded and understaffed, I can 
> > say that in my city it is impossible to find foster homes, never mind
> > adoptive homes, for all that test positive. 
> > 
> > Very young kittens cannot be tested reliably and of course, the need for 
> > foster homes for the littlest babies is great.
> > When fosterers finally test those kittens and find out that one or more is 
> > positive, there are really only a couple of options.
> > That home can keep the kitten sequestered if possible for retesting when 
> > older or take it back to be euthanized.
> > Then what happens if the kitten retests positive? Or what about the older 
> > cat that is infected shortly before it gets
> > into the shelter and tests negative when going to a foster home but if 
> > actually carrying the virus?
> > 
> > In my case, I ended up with 3 positive one year olds along with my adult 
> > cats who are vaccinated.
> > I have decided to no longer foster any other cats because, outside of the 
> > logistics of separating which would be too hard
> > in my situation, I don't want to introduce a new stressor in the house 
> > that might trigger the FELV to become active
> > in these positive ones. My answer is to care for these positives for the 
> > rest of their lives.
> > 
> > However, I fostered and found adoptive homes for > 100 kittens and cats in 
> > the last two years but now, because I am hospicing these 3 cats, it is 
> > fair to 
> > say that a good number of cats will die in the next two years as the kill 
> > rate is significant here. It is a really painful fact that I could
> > save the lives of many more than three cats if I put these FELV+ cats 
> > down.
> > 
> > Therefore, because healthy happy well adjusted wonderful pet cats are put 
> > down every single day of the year in my
> > city and probably most other big cities, I think that a policy of 
> > euthanizing cats that test positive for an incurable illness before
> > euthanizing healthy adoptable cats makes sense.
> > ___
> > Felvtalk mailing list
> > Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> > http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org
> 
> 

Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters

[Jane Lyons]

As I type this, my male Scottie is lying flat on his back (legs  
straight up) in a pool of sunshine.  My Felv+ cat
is sitting on his chest washing her face. It is moments like these  
when I thank god that my vet was conscious and
knew that this sick kitten stood a chance. That was two years ago and  
since then she has lived a blissful existence.
I wish that every positive cat had the chance to live their own path.  
She, too, is a wonderful experience.







The cats in the shelter where I volunteer are not feral.? They are/ 
were someone's pets, at least they appear to have been around  
humans during the time as kittens when they adapt to human  
interaction.? Some were dropped, and some are brought in.? But if  
the cat is FeLV+ the shelter won't take a surrender.? It's the  
strays that are found that are FeLV+ that are euthanized. I am  
hoping to change that thought process, at least delay it a bit.? My  
guy was a stray. I'd NEVER had a cat before.? I ended up keeping my  
guy, who I now can't imagine being without, because I couldn't find  
a no kill shelter who would accept him.? I had a hard time finding  
a place to even board him until I found a cat only vet who now is  
his vet and where I board him when I have to go out of town.?


So my little mission is to try to educate folks on the joys of a  
FeLV+ cat.? Had General tested negative, he wouldn't be living with  
me, and I'd have missed a wonderful experience in my life.


Sidney and the General


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Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters

[Debbie Harrison]

I have to say that my FIV cat lived 6 years after his diagnosisand none of 
my other twelve indoor cats ever contracted it.  Also, Spike lived a very 
healthy life until the last couple of days...I wouldn't trade anything for the 
time we had.

I take care of a feral colony, also...all TNR'ed and vaccinated.  Just because 
these cats were abandoned or born outside doesn't mean they need to die.  TNR 
works!

Debbie (COL)
"The time is always right to do what is right" -  Martin Luther King


 
> From: stray_cat_allia...@hotmail.com
> To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:54:58 -0400
> Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters
> 
> 
> Do they hold and re-test? Cats with FIV can live a normal lifespan. 
> 
> 
> 
> Ethically, killing cats who test initially positive or even confirmed 
> positive but who are not suffering is wrong on so many levels. Maybe they 
> need to look up the definition of euthanasia.
> 
> 
> 
> We had a Cat Management Forum last September and a volunteer took some pretty 
> good notes from Dr. Christine Wilford of the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project in 
> Washington State - check it out here: 
> 
> 
> 
> http://www.pawsofpa.org/new/join_the_team.php?p=72
> 
> 
> 
> And the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project website here:
> 
> http://www.feralcatproject.org/
> 
> 
> Any reasonable person/people should be willing to listen to the most 
> reputable veterinary scientists on this subject - not only does it include 
> Dr. Wilford but Dr. Julie Levy - whose articles are referenced in Dr. 
> Wilford's presentation. Dr. Julie Levy has a site here: 
> 
> 
> 
> http://www.ufsheltermedicine.com/meetTeam_Levy.html
> 
> 
> 
> She runs Operation Catnip at the University of Florida at Gainesville.
> 
> 
> 
> You can do a Google search on the subjects or even contact the veterinarians 
> and ask their advice to medical information.
> 
> 
> 
> Anita
> 
> 
> "Every year shelters kill almost 5,000,000 cats, dogs, puppies & kittens. 
> 
> Most were beautiful, loving creatures (even feral cats!) that died simply 
> because they did not have a home. 
> Every puppy or kitten born costs a shelter animal its life. 
> 
> Save lives, spay-neuter, support Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) & adopt for life!"
> 
> Visit http://www.castawaycritters.org/info/display?PageID=153 for information 
> on Spay/Neuter in Mid-Central PA
> Visit http://www.alleycat.org and http://www.neighborhoodcats.org for info on 
> humane control of free roaming cats
> Visit http://www.pawsofpa.org for information on spay/neuter clinics and 
> resources in south-central PA
> Join the Yahoo! Group for feral & free roaming cats 
> http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/feralcatsinsouthcentralpa/
> 
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Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters

[southernes]

 

The cats in the shelter where I volunteer are not feral.? They are/were 
someone's pets, at least they appear to have been around humans during the time 
as kittens when they adapt to human interaction.? Some were dropped, and some 
are brought in.? But if the cat is FeLV+ the shelter won't take a surrender.? 
It's the strays that are found that are FeLV+ that are euthanized. I am hoping 
to change that thought process, at least delay it a bit.? My guy was a stray. 
I'd NEVER had a cat before.? I ended up keeping my guy, who I now can't imagine 
being without, because I couldn't find a no kill shelter who would accept him.? 
I had a hard time finding a place to even board him until I found a cat only 
vet who now is his vet and where I board him when I have to go out of town.? 

So my little mission is to try to educate folks on the joys of a FeLV+ cat.? 
Had General tested negative, he wouldn't be living with me, and I'd have missed 
a wonderful experience in my life.

Sidney and the General


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Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters

[Patricia . A . Elkins]

Anita,
Great websites with lots of information.
Thanks for posting them!
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Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters

[southernes]

 



Do they hold and re-test? Cats with FIV can live a normal lifespan. 



 nope.  Cats with FeLV+ can live a normal lifespan altho' I realize it isn't 
common.  But they don't retest.  They test once and that's it.


 


 

-Original Message-
From: Stray Cat Alliance 
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Sent: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:54 pm
Subject: Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters











Do they hold and re-test? Cats with FIV can live a normal lifespan. 

 

Ethically, killing cats who test initially positive or even confirmed positive 
but who are not suffering is wrong on so many levels. Maybe they need to look 
up 
the definition of euthanasia.

 

We had a Cat Management Forum last September and a volunteer took some pretty 
good notes from Dr. Christine Wilford of the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project in 
Washington State - check it out here: 

 

http://www.pawsofpa.org/new/join_the_team.php?p=72

 

And the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project website here:

http://www.feralcatproject.org/


Any reasonable person/people should be willing to listen to the most reputable 
veterinary scientists on this subject - not only does it include Dr. Wilford 
but 
Dr. Julie Levy - whose articles are referenced in Dr. Wilford's presentation. 
Dr. Julie Levy has a site here: 

 

http://www.ufsheltermedicine.com/meetTeam_Levy.html

 

She runs Operation Catnip at the University of Florida at Gainesville.

 

You can 
do a Google search on the subjects or even contact the veterinarians and 
ask their advice to medical information.

 

Anita


"Every year shelters kill almost 5,000,000 cats, dogs, puppies & kittens.  

Most were beautiful, loving creatures (even feral cats!) that died simply 
because they did not have a home.  
Every puppy or kitten born costs a shelter animal its life. 

Save lives, spay-neuter, support Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) & adopt for life!"
 
Visit http://www.castawaycritters.org/info/display?PageID=153 for information 
on 
Spay/Neuter in Mid-Central PA
Visit http://www.alleycat.org and http://www.neighborhoodcats.org for info on 
humane control of free roaming cats
Visit http://www.pawsofpa.org for information on spay/neuter clinics and 
resources in south-central PA
Join the Yahoo! Group for feral & free roaming cats 
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/feralcatsinsouthcentralpa/

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Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters

[Stray Cat Alliance]

Do they hold and re-test? Cats with FIV can live a normal lifespan. 

 

Ethically, killing cats who test initially positive or even confirmed positive 
but who are not suffering is wrong on so many levels. Maybe they need to look 
up the definition of euthanasia.

 

We had a Cat Management Forum last September and a volunteer took some pretty 
good notes from Dr. Christine Wilford of the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project in 
Washington State - check it out here: 

 

http://www.pawsofpa.org/new/join_the_team.php?p=72

 

And the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project website here:

http://www.feralcatproject.org/


Any reasonable person/people should be willing to listen to the most reputable 
veterinary scientists on this subject - not only does it include Dr. Wilford 
but Dr. Julie Levy - whose articles are referenced in Dr. Wilford's 
presentation. Dr. Julie Levy has a site here: 

 

http://www.ufsheltermedicine.com/meetTeam_Levy.html

 

She runs Operation Catnip at the University of Florida at Gainesville.

 

You can do a Google search on the subjects or even contact the veterinarians 
and ask their advice to medical information.

 

Anita


"Every year shelters kill almost 5,000,000 cats, dogs, puppies & kittens.  

Most were beautiful, loving creatures (even feral cats!) that died simply 
because they did not have a home.  
Every puppy or kitten born costs a shelter animal its life. 

Save lives, spay-neuter, support Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) & adopt for life!"
 
Visit http://www.castawaycritters.org/info/display?PageID=153 for information 
on Spay/Neuter in Mid-Central PA
Visit http://www.alleycat.org and http://www.neighborhoodcats.org for info on 
humane control of free roaming cats
Visit http://www.pawsofpa.org for information on spay/neuter clinics and 
resources in south-central PA
Join the Yahoo! Group for feral & free roaming cats 
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/feralcatsinsouthcentralpa/

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Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters

[Southernes]

In a message dated 3/23/2009 11:05:35 AM Central Daylight Time, 
ma...@bemikitties.com writes:

> I agree 100% with Anita, we live in a world where more and more 
> people become less responsible, less humane and less caring about 
> anything *but* themselves.  Until that changes nothing else will.
> 

But all I can do is what I can do.  I try to live by the words of Gandhi - BE 
the change you wish to see in the world.  If I do that, and you do that and 
someone else does that, maybe eventually we will make a difference.  But we 
can't control anyone but ourselves, and our own actions.  I have to start with 
me.

Sidney


**
Feeling the pinch at the grocery store?  Make dinner for 
$10 or less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood0001)
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Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters

[Belinda Sauro]

The few of us out there make some difference and of course we have to 
keep struggling on but it is a shame what is happening to the majority 
of human kind.


--

Belinda
happiness is being owned by cats ...

http://bemikitties.com

http://BelindaSauro.com


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Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters

[Belinda Sauro]

  I agree 100% with Anita, we live in a world where more and more 
people become less responsible, less humane and less caring about 
anything *but* themselves.  Until that changes nothing else will.


--

Belinda
happiness is being owned by cats ...

http://bemikitties.com

http://BelindaSauro.com

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Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters

[southernes]

 The shelter where I volunteer is a no kill shelter unless the cat tests 
positive for Feline Leukemia or Feline Aids. If they do, they are immediately 
euthanized. That day. ?? What I'd like to do is to convince them to give me a 
few days to see if I can find anyone who will adopt these cats before they are 
killed.? I understand the theory of the shelter. But they don't look at FeLV + 
the same way I do.? They truly believe that this is a cat with a death 
sentence.? Since I have a boy that has lived with me for two years, and lived 
well, I see that these cats may have a long life ahead if given a chance.? And 
I know that in some cases you can test a cat, have it test positive, and then 
test it again in a few weeks and have it test negative. ? This is a small new 
shelter and they may be amenable to discussion.? And since I had a vet tell me 
that I should have this cat euthanized when I took him in to be neutered, I 
guess it's a particularly sore spot with me.? I think the General is pretty 
happy that I didn't listen to that vet.

Sidney and the General


 


 

-Original Message-
From: patricia.a.elk...@gsk.com
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Sent: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 8:24 am
Subject: [Felvtalk]  Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters










With respect to the general practice of euthanizing FELV+ cats in 
shelters, having fostered many cats from
a big city shelter that of course was underfunded and understaffed, I can 
say that in my city it is impossible to find foster homes, never mind
adoptive homes, for all that test positive. 

Very young kittens cannot be tested reliably and of course, the need for 
foster homes for the littlest babies is great.
When fosterers finally test those kittens and find out that one or more is 
positive, there are really only a couple of options.
That home can keep the kitten sequestered if possible for retesting when 
older or take it back to be euthanized.
Then what happens if the kitten retests positive?  Or what about the older 
cat that is infected shortly before it gets
into the shelter and tests negative when going to a foster home but if 
actually carrying the virus?

In my case, I ended up with 3 positive one year olds along with my adult 
cats who are vaccinated.
I have decided to no longer foster any other cats because, outside of the 
logistics of separating which would be too hard
in my situation, I don't want to introduce a new stressor in the house 
that might trigger the FELV to become active
in these positive ones.  My answer is to care for these positives for the 
rest of their lives.

However, I fostered and found adoptive homes for > 100 kittens and cats in 
the last two years but now, because I am hospicing these 3 cats, it is 
fair to 
say that a good number of cats will die in the next two years as the kill 
rate is significant here.  It is a really painful fact that I could
save the lives of many more than three cats if I put these FELV+ cats 
down.

Therefore, because healthy happy well adjusted wonderful pet cats are put 
down every single day of the year in my
city and probably most other big cities, I think that a policy of 
euthanizing cats that test positive for an incurable illness before
euthanizing healthy adoptable cats makes sense.
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Re: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters

[Stray Cat Alliance]

Respectfully Patrica, I could not agree less. A positive result does not mean 
death is imminent. A healthy cat can suddenly become ill - just like people - 
does that mean that cat should be euthanized? This is a "what if" scenario. 

 

You have done marvelous things in placing all of those cats. I think the 
problem is that we need massive spay/neuter programs - targeting pets of low 
income individuals and feral cats. Also shelters should not accept feral cats 
at all as they will simply be euthanized there. Instead, Trap-Neuter-Return 
(TNR) is the answer - the only proven method. Pet cats of low income who cannot 
afford spay/neuter often roam and give birth to feral cats who supply an 
incredible amount of kittens to rescues and shelters.

 

Spay/neuter itself is the one thing that does the most to reduce the occurence 
of these viruses (FIV and Felv).

 

Best wishes,

Anita



"Every year shelters kill almost 5,000,000 cats, dogs, puppies & kittens.  

Most were beautiful, loving creatures (even feral cats!) that died simply 
because they did not have a home.  
Every puppy or kitten born costs a shelter animal its life. 

Save lives, spay-neuter, support Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) & adopt for life!"
 
Visit http://www.castawaycritters.org/info/display?PageID=153 for information 
on Spay/Neuter in Mid-Central PA
Visit http://www.alleycat.org and http://www.neighborhoodcats.org for info on 
humane control of free roaming cats
Visit http://www.pawsofpa.org for information on spay/neuter clinics and 
resources in south-central PA
Join the Yahoo! Group for feral & free roaming cats 
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/feralcatsinsouthcentralpa/



 




 
> To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> From: patricia.a.elk...@gsk.com
> Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:24:35 -0400
> Subject: [Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters
> 
> With respect to the general practice of euthanizing FELV+ cats in 
> shelters, having fostered many cats from
> a big city shelter that of course was underfunded and understaffed, I can 
> say that in my city it is impossible to find foster homes, never mind
> adoptive homes, for all that test positive. 
> 
> Very young kittens cannot be tested reliably and of course, the need for 
> foster homes for the littlest babies is great.
> When fosterers finally test those kittens and find out that one or more is 
> positive, there are really only a couple of options.
> That home can keep the kitten sequestered if possible for retesting when 
> older or take it back to be euthanized.
> Then what happens if the kitten retests positive? Or what about the older 
> cat that is infected shortly before it gets
> into the shelter and tests negative when going to a foster home but if 
> actually carrying the virus?
> 
> In my case, I ended up with 3 positive one year olds along with my adult 
> cats who are vaccinated.
> I have decided to no longer foster any other cats because, outside of the 
> logistics of separating which would be too hard
> in my situation, I don't want to introduce a new stressor in the house 
> that might trigger the FELV to become active
> in these positive ones. My answer is to care for these positives for the 
> rest of their lives.
> 
> However, I fostered and found adoptive homes for > 100 kittens and cats in 
> the last two years but now, because I am hospicing these 3 cats, it is 
> fair to 
> say that a good number of cats will die in the next two years as the kill 
> rate is significant here. It is a really painful fact that I could
> save the lives of many more than three cats if I put these FELV+ cats 
> down.
> 
> Therefore, because healthy happy well adjusted wonderful pet cats are put 
> down every single day of the year in my
> city and probably most other big cities, I think that a policy of 
> euthanizing cats that test positive for an incurable illness before
> euthanizing healthy adoptable cats makes sense.
> ___
> Felvtalk mailing list
> Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
> http://felineleukemia.org/mailman/listinfo/felvtalk_felineleukemia.org

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[Felvtalk] Euthanizing FELV+ cats in shelters

[Patricia . A . Elkins]

With respect to the general practice of euthanizing FELV+ cats in 
shelters, having fostered many cats from
a big city shelter that of course was underfunded and understaffed, I can 
say that in my city it is impossible to find foster homes, never mind
adoptive homes, for all that test positive. 

Very young kittens cannot be tested reliably and of course, the need for 
foster homes for the littlest babies is great.
When fosterers finally test those kittens and find out that one or more is 
positive, there are really only a couple of options.
That home can keep the kitten sequestered if possible for retesting when 
older or take it back to be euthanized.
Then what happens if the kitten retests positive?  Or what about the older 
cat that is infected shortly before it gets
into the shelter and tests negative when going to a foster home but if 
actually carrying the virus?

In my case, I ended up with 3 positive one year olds along with my adult 
cats who are vaccinated.
I have decided to no longer foster any other cats because, outside of the 
logistics of separating which would be too hard
in my situation, I don't want to introduce a new stressor in the house 
that might trigger the FELV to become active
in these positive ones.  My answer is to care for these positives for the 
rest of their lives.

However, I fostered and found adoptive homes for > 100 kittens and cats in 
the last two years but now, because I am hospicing these 3 cats, it is 
fair to 
say that a good number of cats will die in the next two years as the kill 
rate is significant here.  It is a really painful fact that I could
save the lives of many more than three cats if I put these FELV+ cats 
down.

Therefore, because healthy happy well adjusted wonderful pet cats are put 
down every single day of the year in my
city and probably most other big cities, I think that a policy of 
euthanizing cats that test positive for an incurable illness before
euthanizing healthy adoptable cats makes sense.
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