Update: ALL CATS HAVE been adopted!
Their story
This crew had a rough start to life. After losing both of their moms unexpectedly, several weeks later we learned that all six kittens were born with FeLV, or Feline Leukemia Virus.
Our understanding of feline viruses like FeLV has changed significantly over the last few years. Now we know that FeLV+ cats can live happy healthy lives for much longer than is commonly understood. Recent studies indicate the median lifespan for a healthy FeLV+ cat can be six years and that FeLV is far less contagious than previously thought.
Thanks to your help, we were able to find loving homes for them all!
Frequently Asked Questions About FeLV
(Adapted from © Austin Pets Alive! All Rights Reserved)
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Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), is a virus that attacks the immune system of a cat, not a cancer. Cats with FeLV can live normal, happy and healthy lives; they just have a shorter life expectancy than FeLV-negative cats. These days, our understanding of the virus has changed significantly, making automatic euthanization of FeLV+ cats a thing of the past.
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In a 2019 study by Austin Pets Alive!, a national leader in FeLV research and Maddies Fund, 95% of adopters of FeLV+ cats reported their experiences as positive. A full 74% reported the experience as “very positive.” 73% said they would be very likely to adopt an FeLV+ cat again, given their newfound knowledge about FeLV cats.
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Only to other cats. For this reason, it is recommended that FeLV+ cats are kept indoors only. Ideally, FeLV+ cats should only cohabitate with other FeLV+ cats, as one way the virus can spread is via saliva and bodily fluids (sharing food bowls, grooming each other, sharing litter boxes, etc.) Experts believe FeLV transmission among sterilized cats is far lower than previously thought, however, and the majority of FeLV infections occur between mothers and their kittens. Feline leukemia is species-specific so other animals such as dogs cannot contract the virus. The virus itself is not airborne and dies rapidly in the environment so you don’t have to worry about carrying the virus out of your home when you leave. It is also perfectly safe to have guests visit your home.
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No. The FeLV+ kittens that Flatbush Cats has made available for adoption are just as healthy as our other adoptable cats. They are, however, more vulnerable to common illnesses. This makes protecting them from stress, feeding a high-quality diet, taking them to the vet regularly, and addressing health problems as soon as they arise absolutely critical. You wouldn't know a cat had FeLV by just looking at them. Experts believe it’s likely that many people own FeLV+ cats without being aware of their status, unless they’ve specifically tested them.
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Not while they are healthy. When and if positive cats do get sick, they typically become ill quickly and may need more care than negative cats since their immune systems don’t work as well.
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Many myths exist about FeLV that are no longer supported by science. With new research emerging about the virus, even some veterinarians are still catching up to the latest studies. As a result, it can be difficult to find people willing to adopt or foster FeLV+ cats. Most organizations don't have the time or resources to keep cats and kittens in their programs for extended periods of time, so, unfortunately, because it can take a longer time to find homes for them, FeLV+ cats are still euthanized in shelters today to make room for cats and kittens in need who will move through shelter systems more quickly.