From time to time, you’ll see special notations on the enclosures of cats at the AWLA.  

Special diet
Please approach slowly — I’m shy
FeLV+

Some of these notes are pretty self-explanatory, but the last one seems like it could be a secret code.  FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) is an infection that only affects cats, but as veterinarians continue to educate about the disease, outcomes for felines infected by the FeLV virus are improving every year.  

Here at the AWLA, we do have cats who are FeLV-positive, but it affects only one or two of cats who come to our shelter each year.  While the initial prognosis may seem daunting, we know that there are families in our community who want and are able to give these cats a happy life and home.

Diagnosing FeLV starts with a standard blood test given to every cat who joins us at the AWLA.  If the first test shows positive, we will do a follow-up test just to confirm the diagnosis because some cats can test with a false positive.  Although there is no cure for FeLV, many cats can enjoy two or three healthy years before they experience a decline in health from the infection.

FeLV can be spread through casual contact between cats.  This means social grooming, rubbing faces and sharing water bowls can all spread saliva containing the virus.  The best way to keep your cat safe from FeLV (and a whole range of feline illnesses) is to keep him indoors to avoid contact with any potential carriers.  If you welcome an FeLV cat into your family, we recommend that he is your only cat so he does not share his infection with any fellow felines.

While an FeLV infection may mean a shorter life for most cats, those years can be happy and comfortable with a loving family. Sabra, one of our 100-Day Stay Club members, is the perfect example of how an FeLV+ cat can still start every day off on the right paw, which includes playing with her favorite toys (video below), keeping up with her fish roommates and seeing what treats her foster caregivers have left on the kitchen counter for her.  Although Sabra might not be a lap cat, she’s happy to show her affection in other ways, like head nudges and little purrs, which her fosters say mean so much more.

Although it might take a little extra time to find the family that is just right for Sabra, we know they are out there somewhere, and our team would be happy to talk to potential adopters more about FeLV and about Sabra herself.  If you would like to learn more about adopting Sabra from her foster home, contact our adoptions team at adoptions@alexandriaanimals.org or 703-746-4774.

To read more about FeLV, click here.  If you have or adopt an FeLV-negative cat, you can ask your veterinarian about whether or not they recommend an FeLV vaccine for your pet.

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