In Hudson County: A Heartrending Plea For A FIV-Positive Kitty

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — If you’re a potential adopter who stops listening when you hear “FIV-positive,” this message is for you.

Hudson County-based animal shelter and nonprofit Liberty Humane Society, which operates in Hoboken and Jersey City, recently shared a post from its cat photographer who touted a “remarkable” feline that touched their heart: Stretch Armstrong.

The photographer’s touching message touched on a vital community service issue in the animal shelter world… some adopters’ reluctance to consider a FIV-positive kitty.

“There are times when I meet a cat and it just makes my heart ache… Stretch Armstrong is one of those cats,” the post reads. “It aches because I cannot effectively communicate what a remarkable cat he is. Stretch is about 10 years old, he looks a little rough around the edges, wobbles when he walks, is FIV+ and that is the moment most people stop listening. It aches because they refuse to hear the next sentence; ‘Stretch is probably the most loving, tender, warm and friendly cat that you could ever hope for.’”

The photographer continued:

“It aches because I cannot grab adopters and tell them that I am going to introduce them to a cat that they need to take home because I promise that he will change their life. Tell them he will love them unconditionally, be by their side constantly and ask nothing in return from them but love. I have never met a cat that craves love so much (probably because he went without it for so long). If he is out on the floor and you sit on the ground, he will seek you out and try to get on your lap. If you kneel down, he will try to climb on you to get on your lap, sit on a chair…he is on your lap. He is not really interested in playing, the only thing in this world he wants is love. My heart aches because I do not know how to explain that well enough to find him the home that he longs for. Please help me find this very special cat a very special home, a home he will fill with love and cuddles, a home and a family that he deserves."

Learn more about adopting Stretch Armstrong here.

WHAT IS FIV?

According to PetFinder.com, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a fatal virus that infects cats and causes a deficiency in their immune system.

“FIV is not HIV, the virus that cause AIDS in people,” the website states. “You can't be infected by FIV. An FIV-positive cat is not a health threat to you or your family. FIV is also not contagious to your non-feline pets.”

Regarding adopting an FIV-positive cat, PetFinder states:

“The downside is that the cat will probably have a shorter lifespan and you may have extra vet bills along the way. Of course, if you and your vet know that the cat is FIV-positive, you'll probably have a different approach to vet care that can minimize the extra expense by avoiding treatments that may be less effective and by knowing when the battle is lost. If that sounds like a raw deal, look at it from the cat's perspective. Not only does it have a shortened life expectancy, it is also facing an uphill battle to find a forever home. Few people want to make the emotional and financial investment in a pet that could turn out to die young. Hopefully the information here can make that a few more.”

The website adds:

“Also, consider that a ‘healthy’ cat never comes with a ‘no sickness’ guarantee. FIV-negative cats can encounter numerous health issues that require expensive vet care or cause death at a young age. The bottom line is when adopting any pet, with known medical problems or not, there is always the possibility of a health issues at any point in their life.”

Learn more about FIV here.

Photo: Liberty Humane Society, Facebook

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