FIV Policy

Contagious Nature Fears

A multitude of respected, published studies document that risk of horizontal transmission in shelters, homes, or clinics is reduced to statistically insignificant in sterilized cats, even those who cohabitate with negative cats in multi-pet homes and in group housing in shelters.

• Transmission of FIV among cohabitating cats

Lifespan Fears

Similarly, a multitude of respected, published studies document that there is no statistical difference in lifespan between viral positive and viral negative cats.

• Naturally Acquired FIV infection…: Prevalence, Disease Association and Survival Analysis
• Long-term Impact on a Closed Household of Pet Cats of Natural Infection of FCV, Panleuk and FIV

Quality of Life Fears

Again, ample studies exist proving that viral positive cats in the typical pet home are most frequently asymptomatic for the duration of their lives. Gathered data on comorbidities include manageable conditions such as gingivitis.

• Contrasting Clinical Outcomes in Two Cohorts of Cats Naturally Infected with FIV
• Clinical Findings and Survival in Cats Naturally Infected with FIV

Armed with these facts

• NCPAS will not place adoption restrictions on FIV positive cats. Viral status will be disclosed at the time of adoption and education provided to the adopter. Sterilized viral positive cats may be adopted into homes with viral negative cats. Sterilized viral positive cats may be adopted to indoor/outdoor or outdoor-only homes.
• NCPAS will not consider FIV a special need.
• NCPAS will provide the same resources and opportunities to viral positive cats that it would a viral negative cat, including equal medical care, equal opportunity for life, and equal opportunity for adoption.
• NCPAS will never consider death for a FIV positive cat based solely on this viral status