FeLV

Tabby's Place > Resources for Cat Owners > FeLV

What is FeLV?

FeLV, or Feline Leukemia Virus, is a retrovirus that can suppress cats’ immune systems and leave them susceptible to other diseases, including cancer, blood disorders, and infection. While the virus does often cause a shortened lifespan, cats with FeLV can live long, happy lives and have a good quality of life. Most cats with FeLV do not have symptoms for the majority of their lives, although they can become sick at any point. 

FeLV+ cats are more susceptible to illness, and we recommend they see a vet more often. Your veterinarian can also monitor the amount of the FeLV virus in your cat’s bloodstream with a PCR test. Cats with a lower viral load (amount of copies of the FeLV virus in the blood) are less likely to become ill than cats with a higher viral load.

 

How is FeLV spread?

FeLV is contagious to other cats through close contact, such as grooming and sharing bowls or litterboxes. Transmission usually occurs in cats under a year old, and older cats seem to be less susceptible to the virus. However, if your cat has already been living with other cats, then they have already been exposed to FeLV, and there is no reason to separate them now. Instead, we would recommend vaccinating your cats against FeLV as a layer of extra protection, though the vaccine is not significantly effective. 

 

Where can I find more information about FeLV?

Here are some resources which might point you in the right direction:

There are also some wonderful groups and organizations on Facebook and online communities full of information and fellow FeLV+ cat owners who can support you. FeLV+ kitties live happy lives just like any other cat, and are just as deserving of a loving home.

 

I need to place an FeLV+ cat.

Below is a list of rescues and sanctuaries across the US accepting FeLV+ cats. Please note that we are not affiliated with any of the listed organizations, and cannot attest to their policies or procedures. Please thoroughly research any organization before bringing your cat to them. 

Verbank, NY: Aslan’s Cats

Beacon, NY: Mid-Hudson Animal Aid Cat Sanctuary

Blasdell, NY: Ten Lives Club

Kanab, UT: Best Friends Animal Society

Germansville, PA: Forgotten Felines & Fidos

Harrisburg, PA: The Best Little Cat House

Mount Airy, MD: Furever Home

Westbrook, CT: Forgotten Felines

Boston, MA: Guardian Angels Cat Rescue

Salem, MA: The Odd Cat Sanctuary

Salisbury, MA: The Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society

Grand Rapids, MI: Crash’s Landing & Big Sid’s Sanctuary

Battle Creek, MI: Froggies Pond Cat Sanctuary

Ann Arbor, MI: Leuk’s Landing

Stillwater, MN: Home for Life Animal Sanctuary

Arlington, WA: Purrfect Pals Sanctuary

Denver, CO: Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue

Lakewood, CO: Cat Care Society

Nashua, IA: Rustic Hollow Sanctuary

Louisiana: Positively Cats Sanctuary

Palmyra, VA: Care for Creatures

St. Pauls, NC: Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary

Raleigh, NC: Calvin’s Paws

Atlantic Beach, FL: Cat Paws Sanctuary

St. James City, FL: Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary

Chicago, IL: Tree House Humane Society

Highland County, IL: Highland Humane Society

Lincoln, NE: The Cat House

Fremont, OH: Deedee’s Felines

Cincinnati, OH: Save The Animals Foundation

Cincinnati, OH: Mother Mayflower’s Animal Haven

Defiance, OH: Friends of Felines Rescue

Bucyrus, OH: Fuzzbucket Farm

Chesterland, OH: Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary

Marion, WI: Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary

Westby, WI: Tabby Town USA

New River, AZ: Saint Francis Feline Sanctuary

Tucson, AZ: The Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter & Sanctuary

Parlier, CA: The Cat House on the Kings

Los Angeles, CA: The Kitten Rescue Sanctuary

Portland, OR: House of Dreams

Round Rock, TX: Shadow Cats

Austin, TX: Austin Pets Alive!

Atlanta, GA: Furkids

Minneapolis, MN: Pet Haven of Minnesota

 

There are also a number of Facebook groups and other online communities offering networking and placement resources for FeLV+ cats. Some that we’ve found are listed below: