Cats and FIV

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) causes an infectious disease in domestic cats similar to HIV in humans. By attacking and weakening the body's immune system, the cat becomes susceptible to infection and disease that wouldn't normally affect healthy cats. There is neither a vaccine nor a cure for FIV and though eventually fatal, an FIV positive cat can live happily for many years without any signs of illness.

Although older cats are more likely to be infected, FIV can affect kittens from birth - a queen (mother cat) can transmit the virus to her kittens during gestation, birth, or nursing.  Outdoor cats are more likely to be infected than indoor cats as FIV can be transmitted through deep, penetrating bite wounds. FIV can also be transmitted through transfusion of contaminated blood.

FIV is only transmitted to other cats (not humans or other animals), yet some of the pathogens (bacteria and parasites) that cause secondary infections in FIV-positive cats may affect humans with compromised immune systems.

We are looking for people in the community who are willing to take on the responsibility of these cats and give them a comfortable and loving home. Guardians of an FIV+ cat must help stop the spread of the disease by abiding by the following:

• Must not have any non-FIV cats living in their house.
• Keeping their cats indoors (to protect the cat from virus' that could make them ill, and to avoid the spread of FIV to other cats)
• Agreeing to handle the illness appropriately by speaking with their own vet.

Early stages of the disease are usually without symptoms, though the cat may develop a fever or anemia. The cat can maintain this level of health for many years. Later, the cat's immune system weakens considerably as a result of secondary, opportunistic infections.  It is these chronic, recurrent infections that are the major cause of death in FIV-positive cats.

These cats are loving, affectionate and loyal and they deserve every chance of a happy life in the care of a loving home. Currently, The Toronto Humane Society has several FIV+ cats available for adoption (details below). For further information please contact our Feline Services department at 416.392.2273, ext. 2460/2422, or email one of our Feline Services coordinators.

Below are some of the cats with FIV currently available for adoption or foster: