As you may know we have a FIV safe haven. If anyone phones who wants an indoor cat we always advise them about the FIV cats. On our site is a pic if the Safe Haven and a write up:- Chesterfield & District CP have installed a luxury unit for FIV positive cats awaiting a permanent home. The unit can house up to six at a time, and has all they need for a comfortable stay - but nothing beats having their own home, with their own folks and their own fireside. Although, sadly, there is not yet a cure for FIV, many cats with the virus can live happily and healthily for many years. In fact, we’ve heard of one such feline who is over 20 years old and still absolutely fine. So long as prompt treatment for any health problems is sought, (please see homing page) We would like to home our FIV cats to indoor homes, or to somewhere with a safe/enclosed garden. TAKEN FROM AN INTERNET SITE:- Dr Sue Duthie at the University Glasgow, has stated that recent research has shown that cats infected with FIV can live just as long as uninfected cats .A long-term FIV Monitoring Project was also carried out at Glasgow Veterinary School over a number of years and the results indicated that a higher percentage of FIV negative cats died than FIV positive cats! A fourteen year study by Maureen Hutchison B.Sc, BVMS, MRCVS found that FIV-positive cats are more likely to die by being killed in road accidents or to be alive and well into their twilight years than they are to die from any FIV related condition. Also, a recent survey by Dr Diane D. Addie (Lecturer in Veterinary Virology, University of Glasgow) where 26 cats were monitored for ten years, found that FIV infection did not affect the cats’ life expectancy.
Being killed in a road accident is a far higher risk for a cat than FIV.
FIV cannot be transmitted to humans or any other animals, and can only be transmitted to other cats through fighting or sexual contact, so all FIV cats must neutered as indeed are all our cat. FIV positive cats can be the ideal solution for cat lovers living in a flat or house without a garden, also for anyone living near a busy road who is afraid of potential accidents, as they need to be kept indoors and not feeling guilty for having a "house cat" who is not allowed to go outside. FIV infection does not lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in cats as often as human immunodeficiency virus leads to AIDS in people.
When we home FIV cats we we offer to pay for life for any vet treatments that are FIV related, although we find that most people do pay themselves.
