In fact, over the past few weeks the kitties have been passing a cold back and forth amongst them. Caster got the worst of it – he went to the vet twice, was sneezing blood, had to take two different medicines, wouldn’t eat, had Mom and Dad worried sick, etc. When Sassy started sneezing last week, I panicked. She had never been sick before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was terrified that the cold would progress to the level that Caster’s had, and that she would get even worse because she has a weakened immune system. Logical conclusion, right? Well, I am happy to say that it didn’t progress past the sniffles. She was sneezy and sniffly for a few days, and then it was over. She didn’t have to go to the vet, she didn’t have to take any medicine, and she never acted sickly. A cat with a supposed weakened immune system fought off the cold on her own, and did an even better job of it than a supposed healthy cat. (For the record, Caster is all better now! 🙂
This longwinded story is all just to say that FIV+ cats have a bad rep that needs to be turned around. People believe they are sickly, couldn’t possibly live long or healthy lives, and that they should be kept separate from all other cats. Some even believe they should be euthanized. I was told these things when we first rescued Sassy.
These misconceptions affect FIV+ cats’ ability and likelihood of being adopted. There are so many cats sitting in shelters, getting overlooked simply because they are FIV+. Sassy is just one example of an FIV+ cat who is living a happy and healthy life. There are so many more out there, and we need to help spread the word! This brings us to our next point… CATWORK!
Why is this important?
“By [answering this questionnaire], you and your cat could become important examples to help other owners,
and give new owners the confidence to care for their own FIV cat. You will be able to see how your cat compares with other FIV cats. You and your cat will be part of a vitally important information base that
could just change thinking and understanding about the virus and its effects. Those of us who know FIV cats, already know the truth, but we need to collect the evidence to show that to everyone else.” – from the Catwork website.
Catwork’s aim is to share the “real life” FIV – REAL stories of FIV+ cats and their families.
A few examples of the statistics that have been gathered already from this questionnaire:
Number of FIV+ cats who have been included in this study: 200 and counting, from around the world
Percentage of FIV+ cats who live in mixed FIV+/FIV- multi-cat household: 66%
Percentage of FIV+ cats who were reported to have dental issues (a supposed “common” problem: 19.5%
Percentage of FIV+ cats who were reported to have respiratory issues (another “common” problem): 12%
Not only is Catwork sharing their statistics from the questionnaire, they are also sharing their entire CAT-alogue! That’s right – you can look through the profiles for each and every cat that has been submitted. The profiles include everything from the cat’s age, lifespan, health issues (if any), general life story, and even a picture of the cat. You can also search the Cat-alogue and filter the results by country, single/multi-cat households, indoor/outdoor, and diet. I’ve already spent a good deal of time reading through the Cat-alogue. It is so awesome to be able to see real cats living with FIV who are 10, 12, 14, 16+ years old and who are healthy and happy!
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To show our support of Catwork and all that they are doing for FIV+ (and FeLV) cats, we will be donating 100% of the proceeds from any bow tie or flower sales we have between now and Saturday, February 14th. So place your orders today! They are super cute and fashionable accessories for your pets, both cats and dogs. If your pet doesn’t wear a collar or wouldn’t like wearing a bow tie or flower, you might consider ordering one (or two) to give to the kitties or woofies at your favorite shelter. They may just help attract the attention of a potential adopter!
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Paws up for fighting so hard for FIV+ kitties! May they all live far longer than the stupid myths surrounding FIV!
We’re so happy that Sassy didn’t get sicker – there are so many myths surrounding FIV+, we’re glad you are dispelling them.
I once knew an hiv cat that lived well over its twenties. It proves that these cats can live happy and relatively healthy lives.
Never knew about Fiv, thanks for sharing!
Very good information. Hopefully this news reaches a lot of people. Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend 🙂 <3
What a wonderful thing this group is doing. Thanks for letting us know about it. Mom and Dad were supposed to be a part of a transport for two FIV+ cats from Atlanta to No. VA scheduled for tomorrow. It has been postponed until next Saturday, though. The are anxious to meet Jazzy and Bogie. They will be going to their forever home. Hope all the kitties are over their colds. So sorry to hear about Caster having such a rough time. Sending love to all. Astrid sends Sampy enough kisses to reach to the moon and back again. Hope you will join us Sunday for our Selfies Blog Hop. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo.
a paws…a paws…a paws guys…rockin awesum article. !!! veree well written…N az all wayz, oh course de manee blessings oh St Francis two all, we hope everee one iz bak ta ther ole self N de colds bee outta heer…for goood. ~~~
heerz two a goatfish N guppy kinda week oh end !!♥♥♥
A very good post. We hope you sell lots of bow ties. 🙂
That is a great resource for people who want to understand more about FIV and for pawrents of FIV cats! It must be a blessing for you to access it and assuage any fears you might have about Sassy. Sorry to hear about the colds.Ugh! Glad efurryone is feeling better now 🙂
the critters in the cottage xo
Sassy is so cute!! I am so glad to hear that such efforts are being made to debunk all the myths around FIV. Sassy is such a great spokeskitty for FIV!
I am glad that word is finally spreading that this isn’t a death sentence and kitties don’t need to be treated like lepers either.
I don’t know if you knew ’bout this or not but my mama was FIV+ as were my two younger siblings, Alexander and Josephine. They contracted the disease after the peeps got my sibs and I into the house but before they got Mama Madison, Josie & Alex in. That little ol’ virus didn’t stop my peeps from adoptin’ the rest of my family, though. Not at all. As soon as they could they had those three inside, too.
Purrs,
Nissy
It sounds like Catwork is doing some awesome awareness-raising! I think it’s wonderful that you are donating to this cause. 🙂
This is great news! We live in Kansas where it is against the law to adopt out FIV+ cats. Hopefully, Catwork and cats like yourself can help convince lawmakers that FIV+ cats can live long happy lives.
Hopefully, you all are feeling better now!
Oh what a pawsum posty. Weez so glad Sassy didn’t get too sick. And weez weally glad dat Caster be well now, poor fing. And this sounds like a pawsum purroject. Anyfin’ to bwing attention to diseases dat kitties hav. Weez hope sumday they can find a cure, and till then dat peeps get over their fears and learn more ’bout these fings so dat less kitties hav to die.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
Sorry Caster had to go to vet twice but glad he is better now. And glad Sassy didn’t get any sicker. She is a strong girl 🙂 The real-life FIV project sounds wonderful. It will be a great source of information for everyone involved with FIV+ kitties!
The Catworks people must be really great! We like anything that can raise interest and education about illnesses. We don’t think anyone, anyfurone, should ever be overlooked – we can all be happy and loved, and love!
Hugs to you all.
So great to spread the word. I was happy to Tweet about it!
–Purrs (and wags) from Life with Dogs and Cats.
The questionnaire is a great way to help people understand the reality of having an FIV+ cat. The more everyone is educated, the better chances FIV+ kitties have for a fantastic life.
So glad that Sassy and Caster are now better. Catwork sounds like such a wonderful organization and what an important study they are doing.
Catwork is doing such important work, and we are thankful for all who raise awareness about FIV. We are so happy Sassy is doing so well.
That is so true and this project is wonderful. We will add to our sidebars too.