“If I don’t get some shelter … I’m gonna fade away.”
These Rolling Stones’ song lyrics could be a slogan for many animal shelters in Albany, NY, or any city. Animal rescuers everywhere work to save homeless and needy animals from fading away. The ultimate animal rescue goal is to place pets in stable, loving homes.
In the spring, cats and kittens are in particular need of homes. Although cats produce litters throughout the year, an influx of unwanted mommas and kittens flood shelters over the spring and summer months. Most shelters fill quickly due to space limitations.
Kittens adopt quickly. They are soft, little, cute and naturally playful. But they need a lot of attention and care. Veterinarian visits for inoculations and other checkups as Little Kitty grows over the next year can be expensive. Kittens also love to play. Make sure you are willing to commit to the extra time and cost of kitten care before you adopt one.
Adoption fees for kittens are frequently higher than for adult cats. The can approach $100 or more. Some shelters have very low or no adoption fees for special needs cats, older cats or cats that have been at the shelter for a longer time. Adult cats at shelters have been tested for diseases and examined by veterinarians, spayed or neutered, inoculated and provided with every health advantage before becoming available for adoption. They usually won’t need extra vet visits for a year.
Adoptable adult cats almost always socialize well. Many have had a previous home and just want to become a part of yours. Their sad circumstances are varied but with your love and a little “getting to know you” time, they will fit right in. Shelters know their adult adoptees and will help match the right cat to your circumstances, such as small children or other pets.
If a cat coming to a shelter does test positive for a feline disease, few shelters will keep the cat. These cats are not as adoptable as other cats, their life span can be shorter than healthy cats, and they may require additional vet visits, medication, or specialized care that can be expensive.
One of the few area shelters taking all cats regardless of health is
Whiskers Animal Benevolent League
PO Box 11190
Albany, NY 12211
(518)448-9565
www.ewhiskers.com
admin@ewhiskers.com
“Here at Whiskers we believe every life is meaningful and worth saving. We go the extra mile to do whatever it takes to make each cat and kitten's life we commit to the best it can be. Every cat and kitten we take in gets Whiskers' lifetime pledge to be there for them for their entire lives if need be.”
This mission statement has been the driving force behind the work of Whiskers. Carol Hall, president of Whiskers for 20 years, describes the organization as a “Sanctuary. We take in cats testing positive for feline AIDS, feline leukemia and other illnesses,” she said. “We accept older cats, too, whose owners experience difficulty supporting their needs as they age and their health declines. We will always accept back any of our adopted out cats if needed. “
“Currently we have about 120 cats and kittens available for adoption, some with special needs,” she continued. “We work very hard to match a cat and owner to the best result for both parties.”
Whiskers’ cats are housed in two places. Adult cats live at the Albany shelter. Momma cats with litters are cared for in foster homes around the Albany area. Volunteer foster homes allow kittens to grow up in a home environment and become socialized in a family situation, which is the ultimate permanent placement goal for every cat.
There are also approximately six cats housed at Pet Smart in Clifton Park, Village Plaza Shopping Center.
At eight weeks or two pounds in weight, kittens are spayed or neutered. They receive all appropriate inoculations and are tested for feline leukemia and feline AIDS. If a cat tests positive for one of these diseases it may still be available for adoption.
Feline Leukemia
Feline leukemia is a retrovirus containing an enzyme which permits a cell to insert copies of its own genetic material into that of the cells they have infected. FeLV-infected cats are found worldwide, but the prevalence of infection varies greatly depending on (a cat’s) age, health, environment, and lifestyle. In the United States, approximately 2 to 3% of all cats are infected with FeLV. Rates rise significantly—13% or more—in cats that are ill, very young, or otherwise at high risk of infection. (1)
Cats persistently infected with FeLV serve as sources of infection. Virus is shed in very high quantities in saliva and nasal secretions, but also in urine, feces, and milk from infected cats. Cat-to-cat transfer of virus may occur from a bite wound, during mutual grooming, and (though rarely) through the shared use of litter boxes and feeding dishes. Transmission can also take place from an infected mother cat to her kittens, either before they are born or while they are nursing. FeLV doesn't survive long outside a cat's body—probably less than a few hours under normal household conditions. (2)
Kittens are more susceptible to disease transfer and infection because their immune systems are not as mature as those of adult cats. While kittens are at 100% risk of infection, adult cats are at 30% or lower risk. Cats most at risk for infection are kittens of infected mothers, cats living with infected cats or with cats of unknown infection status, and cats allowed outdoors unsupervised, where they may be bitten by an infected cat.
Feline leukemia is the most common cause of cancer in cats. It may cause various blood disorders, and it may lead to a state of immune deficiency that hinders the cat's ability to protect itself against other infections. A cat with a weakened immune system is also more likely to become infected with other diseases.
A cat with feline leukemia may not show any symptoms of disease for weeks, months or years. A cat may have periods of sickness and appear healthy at other times. Some symptoms include appetite loss, slow, progressive weight loss, persistent fever, poor coat condition, mouth, gum and other infections, and neurologic or behavior disorders.
Cats are diagnosed with feline leukemia through blood testing. The only totally effective way to prevent passing disease to another cat is through lack of exposure. Cats should be immunized regularly to protect them, especially cats who go outside and have the risk of encountering other cats who may have feline leukemia or other diseases. If you have several cats, they should be inoculated immediately to protect them from several diseases but particularly if you have a feline leukemia positive cat. Periodic veterinarian checkups are the best way to ensure your cat’s good health.
The life span of cats with feline leukemia may be shortened depending on the cat’s overall health and future care. Most cats live two to three years after becoming infected.
The feline leukemia virus lives only a few hours outside a cat’s body. Discarding pet bedding from a diseased cat is advisable when the cat has died. Cat toys, litter boxes and dishes can be washed and disinfected. Your home should be thoroughly cleaned and hard floors mopped.
Any new cats or kittens should be vaccinated before coming to live in your house. There is no scientific evidence suggesting feline leukemia is contagious to humans.
Feline AIDS
Feline immune deficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus (or "slow virus"). FIV is in the same retrovirus family as feline leukemia virus but is quite different, especially in the way it infects cats. Only 1.5 – 3% of cats in the United States are affected but it also depends on lifestyle and other factors.
Infection rates rise with certain cat populations. FIV is most often transferred through cat bites, especially by free roaming infected male cats who tend to be aggressive. Outside cats are therefore more likely to become infected. (3)
Indoor non-aggressive cats have almost no risk of contracting FIV. Occasionally a FIV positive mother cat may affect kittens during birth. FIV is not usually transmitted during mating.
FIV positive cats may appear healthy for years but the disease weakens their immune system, making them more susceptible to contagion from other diseases. The secondary infections often cause the cat more problems. Symptoms are very similar to feline leukemia symptoms and the disease is diagnosed through the presence of a specific antibody in the blood.
Some false positive readings can occur, particularly in some kittens of FIV positive mothers due to the antibody presence in mother’s milk. These kittens rarely become HIV infected as adults. It takes up to twelve weeks after infection for the antibody to show in blood tests. False negative results rarely occur.
The only foolproof method to protect cats is to keep them indoors. If a cat is infected, it should be confined indoors to prevent infection spread. All other cats in the home should be checked. Although there is a vaccine to protect against FIV, it is not yet 100% effective for all cats.
Infected cats may have a reduced lifespan but this depends on a healthy life style and disease progression. As with feline leukemia, bedding should be discarded once a cat has died. Other items can be disinfected.
FIV is similar to human AIDS in its effect on weakening immune systems and thus allowing an infected animal to be more susceptible to other illnesses. It cannot be transferred from cats to people; it is species specific.
Whiskers will adopt out FIV and feline leukemia positive cats to people willing to provide the extra love and care needed for these special cats. Ms. Hall stated that there are some adopters who regularly adopt only FIV and feline leukemia positive cats.
Adoption applications for all Whiskers cats and kittens are available online as well as pictures and information about available cats. Links are also on the website with information about cat related events, products, volunteer opportunities and special events.
Once an adoption application is received, a counselor will contact the prospective adopter by phone to find out information that will match the right cat to you. An older person may not want a very lively cat, or someone may have allergies to long hair cats. You may be looking for a specific gender, breed or color.
Whiskers’ adoption fee is $50 per cat, including special needs cats. Ms. Hall said she believes all their cats are worth the fee. She said it is a myth that a cat one gets for free will be less expensive than a cat adopted from a shelter. Cost factors for responsible cat owners include veterinarian visits, spay/neutering, vaccines, diagnostic tests for disease screenings, etc. Shelter adoption fees include all these services. Shelters often have discounts on future services at some vets, pet insurance discounts and coupons for food and other supplies.
Appointments to see cats at the Albany shelter can be made by phone. Whiskers adoption clinic hours at Pet Smart in Clifton Park are:
Tuesday 6-7:30
Thursday 6-7:30
Friday 6-7:30
Saturday 11-3
Sunday 12-3.
Photos and information about all Whiskers cats can be found on the website. Information is also available by phone. Early spring is the perfect time to adopt an adult cat. It is the time of renewal and growth, just right for the beginning of a new relationship with a furry, purry companion.
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