Louie

Louie  (KN)

When the Sanctuary was established, it was common practice for rescues everywhere to discover that a cat they had taken in might prove via blood tests to be FIV+ or FeLV+, and the cat would be quietly euthanized because everyone knew that neither virus could be cured – there were vaccines to protect cats, but once infected, that was it. RAPS was founded as a no-kill rescue, and cats coming to us with FIV or leukemia were treated exactly like all our other cats – loved and protected, but just in separate areas, to protect further transmission.

Starting to be inquisitive  (KC)

In the subsequent thirty years, we have learned much about these viruses, and their effect on the cats we love. The FIV retrovirus is only transmitted by cat-to-cat bites, or in utero, and once cats are neutered, aggression is greatly reduced. We know that FIV+ and FIV- cats can live together peaceably, and that adoption is possible. We know that calling them the AIDS cats is actually a misnomer – FIV+ means that they carry the potential for AIDS, which in many cases never really shows up. We do prefer to continue to keep them together; it helps the med-staff keep aware of watching for health issues, which, with a reduced immune system, can prove to be a problem. But many of our FIV+ cats will live lives that are as long as the other Sanctuary cats. Many of our weekend visitors are in fact surprised to see this bunch of healthy cats, several of whom have gone to loving homes in the course of the last year or two. But there are a few, who, when you look a little closer, show signs of health issues that we need to stay on top of.  

Hiding in a kennel   (KN)

Louie came to us in early 2020 as a very scared feral; one of a number of FIV+ cats that came to us from CatSpan Rescue, mid-Island. Several rescues on the Island are doing excellent work, but you can’t TNR (trap/neuter/release) an FIV+ cat; if we stand any chance of reducing the virus, those cats can’t be allowed to roam freely. Because we have the facilities to care for them, many of the rescues will send their FIV+ ferals to us. 

Louie with his friend Gizzard (BH)

Following his initial cage-time, Louie was one of the cats that vanished into the back area of the pen – the Prince of Wales pen, and the unnamed one beyond it. He could frequently be found hiding behind the hut, often in company with other ferals. He was a battered-looking boy, one who’d obviously lived rough, and he was very nervous around us. Domino, who arrived at the same time, was also feral, but had much more confidence, and soon adjusted to the new situation. Louie preferred to hold to his feral habits; any approach from us, and he would back away hastily. Any cat can have the genetic mutation that affects tail length without being officially a Manx cat; Louie has the little stub of tail that makes him closer to a bobtail.

In the cabin, coming for pets  (BC)

For the greater number of FIV+ cats, there is no obvious sign of the virus. What we do see occasionally is mouth problems (ulcers and stomatitis), sometimes diarrhea, and skin problems. Louie has the latter: rough fur, some bald patches, and an allergy to flea medications. His difficulties meant that he had the attention of the med-staff, and he came to realise that we meant him no harm. Gradually the volunteers working in the back of the New Aids pen found that he was allowing us to approach, and sitting on the step of the Prince of Wales pen, we would find that he was not only approaching us, but ducking his head to offer strong head-bumps. Petting... not so much, but he loved the head bunting.

The love of a feral  (BC)

Five years after his arrival, Louie is a different cat. Not physically – he retains his battered appearance, and his rough coat. But he explores the full range of the New Aids pen now – I found him in the main cabin this evening, and sat close enough to the floor that he could approach for head-bumps and tidbits.  He is a little wary of the more assertive cats; Cypress and Obelix and Domino are quick to push him aside when food is offered. He can be found in company with some of the other shy cats, and though he will probably never be a lap-cat, he will sit beside me if there are no other pushy cats around. He’s not a candidate for adoption – but that’s why we are a Sanctuary; he has safety as long as he’s in our care.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Katy Cobb, Brigid Coult, Brielle Hutchison, Karen Nicholson