Trooper is a big orange tabby with such a winning personality, you’d never guess that he was once a stray. In fact, this two-year-old kitty wasn’t just a stray, he was part of a feral colony, and he came to Tabby’s Place through a Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) program.TNR programs trap feral cats, sterilize them, and then return them to their home environment. These efforts are great for communities and cats, as the cat population is controlled and tended by caretakers, and the cats have a chance to live healthier, longer lives. TNR wouldn’t work for Trooper, though, because it turned out that he had the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

FIV diminishes a cat’s immune system by disabling and destroying white blood cells, leaving the cat more susceptible to infection. Trooper probably became infected from a bite wound while living as a stray. Because he was FIV+, the people running the TNR program didn’t want to re-release him; he might infect other cats with the virus. Poor Trooper was at risk of being euthanized.

Luckily, cats with FIV can live long and healthy lives in spite of the virus they carry, and we were glad to be able to offer Trooper a place in our FIV+ suite. He still can act like a tough guy at times, but he’s in the right place for it. After all, most of the cats in the FIV+ suite were once tough outdoor cats themselves (and most of them probably contracted the virus from fighting and biting, just like Trooper.) They can roughhouse to their hearts’ delight with each other, then settle in for some serious snuggling. In fact, Trooper has such a sunny disposition, you just want to pick him up and smoosh him – and he’s almost always happy to indulge you.

We’re delighted to have Trooper with us at Tabby’s Place, where we can give him all the care and attention (and smooshes) he deserves. Will you consider sponsoring our tough-as-a-marshmallow boy?