Mary

My name is Mary and I am a very affectionate young lady. A kind man and woman saved me from the cold in the winter and now I am ready for my forever home. I just love being with people, and having all the attention! I am very laid back. I am FIV positive and I will do fine with other cats or I can be your one and only. Please read about FIV below. There is nothing to be afraid of -- I am not contagious and I can live a long happy, healthy life.

If you want to make my dreams come true, please submit an application at chathamanimalrescue.org

What is FIV? Feline Immunodeficiency Virus(FIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system of cats. There is no treatment or cure. FIV is a cat-only disease and cannot be transmitted to people or dogs. FIV+ cats should be kept indoors to prevent exposure to illness, sterilized and fed a balanced diet. They should be seen by a veterinarian at least once a year to ensure their ongoing good health.

Transmission: FIV is passed from cat to cat mainly through deep bite wounds, the kind that occur during fights and territorial disputes involving feral and unsterilized males. Casual, social behavior such as sharing a water/food bowl and mutual grooming will NOT spread FIV. There is no evidence that cats in the household with an FIV+ cat will acquire FIV from the FIV+ cat.

Lifespan: Multiple medical studies show that cats who are FIV+ live just as long as FIV-negative cats. FIV itself does not cause severe clinical signs, and FIV+ cats can live many years without any health problems. For additional information contact your veterinarian.