Jakey

by Nicole
(Haverhill, MA)

About 4 years ago me and my husband got our first place and decided to get a cat.

I had been volunteering at a local cat shelter and fallen in love with a cat named Jake. He was so handsome. Thing was he was FIV +.

I learned from some of the woman who worked there that it was like cat aids. But often times didn't affect them or really affect their lifespan. The only way it could be tranferred was by biting.

Well Jake would be our only cat so I didn't care about FIV, I wanted him.

Jake was an awesome cat and we eventually expanded our family with another FIV + cat too.

I don't think people should fear adopting an animal because of medical issues like this. Jake never had any complications with his FIV and lived a happy life with us.

Unfortunately, almost a year ago, he got outside and was never found. I really miss Jake, but I try to encourage others interested in adopting to adopt a FIV cat because all too often they are put down just because of the FIV.