CRAVEN COUNTY, N.C. -- An AIDS positive cat at Colonial Capital Humane Society (CCHS) in New Bern is raising awareness about his disease.
- Gunner is between one and two years old and has Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, or FIV
- Volunteers are taking this opportunity to educate potential adopters about the truths and myths behind FIV
- The presence of FIV means the cat’s immune system is weak and likely to contract other illnesses, but FIV itself does not require regular or costly treatment
Gunner is between one and two years old and has Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, or FIV.
He was recently abandoned by his owners and is taking up residence at CCHS.
Volunteers are taking this opportunity to educate potential adopters about the truths and myths behind FIV.
“Basically it’s an autoimmune disorder for cats. It only passes to cats. Humans can’t get it, dogs can’t get it. It’s passed through deep bite wounds so if he were to bite another cat he could transmit it to another cat,” said Meghan Watters, a volunteer at CCHS.
Only one to three percent of cats in the United States contract FIV according to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Veterinarians say it is not a death sentence and many cats live long lives.
The presence of FIV means the cat’s immune system is weak and likely to contract other illnesses, but FIV itself does not require regular or costly treatment.
“He’s just a normal cat, he’s really nothing out of the ordinary,” said Watters.
To adopt Gunner, you can fill out an application here.