Archaic attitudes toward fiv cat!!!

Hi..I have been volunteering for about 4 yrs. at the local spca, which is a no-kill shelter...of course, they are very particular about the animals they take in..Anyway, there is a very sweet kitty( fiv positive) that has been in the holding area for over a year now, i.e., little human contact except for the people that clean her cage..i have been trying to go back there and pet and play with her, but today one of the workers screamed at me that i was not wearing gloves when handling this kitty!! i stated that fiv was not contageous and could not be spread to humans (i always sterilize my hands after playing with her just so that i do not spread any other type of disease) --i guess what i am so upset about is the attitude in this day and age..this cat has not been put up front with the other adoptable cats (in separate cages, of course) for one year she has had a miserable existence...and this is supposed to be a humane shelter!!!
Just venting--thanks for listening!!!

ohno thats so sad. The poor thing

Maybe another FIV+ cat will eventually come in so she can have a buddy.

Poor little thing though. I can't believe they though you could catch FIV or spread it to the other cats! That is crazy.

Even though they are supposed to be a 'no-kill'shelter, i suspect that they put down FIV positive kittens--even though the testing for a young kitten can show a false positive....i am so distressed by the whole situation that i want to stop volunteering there--of course, that is the wrong thing to do--you can not change anything unless you participate....The director seems to think there is nothing wrong with keeping a young cat in a small cage for over a year with no stimulus--and little human contact....they won't even list her on Petfinders....so my dilemna is--should i still keep volunteering there???? we are having a meeting tonight of the cat volunteers and i think i will ask what the official policy is for fiv cats....

Originally Posted by Dumac

Even though they are supposed to be a 'no-kill'shelter, i suspect that they put down FIV positive kittens--even though the testing for a young kitten can show a false positive....i am so distressed by the whole situation that i want to stop volunteering there--of course, that is the wrong thing to do--you can not change anything unless you participate....The director seems to think there is nothing wrong with keeping a young cat in a small cage for over a year with no stimulus--and little human contact....they won't even list her on Petfinders....so my dilemna is--should i still keep volunteering there???? we are having a meeting tonight of the cat volunteers and i think i will ask what the official policy is for fiv cats....

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Most rescues do not take FIV+ kittens and if they do test a kitten and it comes up as positive, they do euthanize. The unfortunate reality is that there are just too many cats in general and most adoptors do not want to adopt a kitten who may have a disease that "could" comprimize the life expectency of the cat or be spread to their other cats. Yes...it is difficult to spread FIV+ and yes, you can have false positives....but with soooo many healthy, non-FIV+ kittens needing homes...the rescue must make the tough decision on what is the greatest good.

Since it has upset you so much..then I would stop volunteering with them and try to find a way to to get involved in educating people about how FIV+ cats/kittens make great pets. As well as providing information on how FIV+ is spread.

Katie

If you want to make a trek to Tarentum, PA, they are a beautiful huge sanctuary and they take all special needs kitties like FIV+ etc... the shelter I worked at one time, had them come and pick up a bunch of problem kitties. Maybe even your shelter can contact them and work something out.

Otherwise, how about if you post a classified on petfinder.com saying she is there, is positive and has been there over a year and needs a home with other FIV+ cats? Or not as long as they will be not be mating or biting each other and they get along. Maybe you are her only hope. Advertize, put up classifieds and fliers at pet stores. Call vets and ask if they know of anyone looking for more FIV+ cats to keep theirs company. Put an ad in the paper. Put the your contact information on it and if someone calls interested, work out a time that you can go in with them to meet her. Call the shelter and say that you found someone interested in adopting a FIV+ cat and what time would be best to come in and meet her and fill out adoption papers.

Thanks, Jen, for the great advice..i have started calling vet offices to see if any of their clients may be looking for an fiv kitty and i plan on making posters--and maybe an ad in a local paper--i know no "free to good home" ads!!! I am determined to find this kitty a home soon!!!!
But just in case, what is the name of the shelter in Tarentum, Pa. that you refered to??
Thanks!!!