I adopted my cat, Natalie, a year and a half ago from an Animal Shelter in Texas. On Monday (February 11, 2013), I took Natalie to a new veterinarian, who recommended testing her for FIV and Feline Leukemia. I was shocked and horrified to learn that Natalie was positive for FIV.
Furthermore, Natalie has always been an indoor cat, and has not had contact with another cat since we adopted her. Because of this, the veterinarian informed us that her exposure to the disease would have happened prior to her adoption.
While a cat may just be a cat to most people, this is not the case in our family. Natalie is so much more than that. Above all else, she is my best friend. I think that it is outrageous and disgraceful for animal shelters to claim to "save lives", when they don't even bother to test for these fatal diseases. At the very least, animals who test positive for FIV/Feline Leukemia should be separated from healthier cats, to stop the disease from spreading.
I had no idea when I adopted my kitten that she was sick. I had no idea that I would not have her for a normal life span. I am unbelievably heart broken by this, and hope that animal shelters everywhere will keep this from happening to any more families.
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