Widget needs a home

[Odonata]

(I'm cross-posting this in a few places.)

I have a very sweet kitten who has twice tested positive for the feline leukemia virus. I found him abandoned at three weeks old, and me and my folks have bottled fed and burped this cuteness to his present nine week old spritely state.

Because we have other cats we've been keeping him isolated, but now since the second test (IFA) has come back positive, we know that he is a permanent carrier and needs to be in a home where he's an only kitty. Dogs, ferrets, and birds etc. are okay. Just no other kitties, unless you already have FeLV+ kitties in your household. He's currently VERY healthy.

Here are some photos:





Please, contact me if you know of a loving home for him. Our hearts are breaking.

[superconnected]

1. I already have 6 cats.

But widget is a beautiful little kitty.

Good luck Widget!

Can he live a normal life with that disease?

[Lorien]

2. Find a way to post him on Petfinder (contact a rescue near you)

our rescue gets requests for FIV+ kittens from time to time (to be buddies to other lonely FIV+ cats). You'd be surprised at how many people are looking for a little cutie like Widget!

[ET Awful]

3. A lady I work with is interested in the little fella, I'm trying to talk

her into it.

She's going to think about it and get back to me. She fell in love with that last picture though :).

We'll see next week.

[demnan]

4. Good luck little Widget!

I'm sorry you had to give him up after so much love and care you obviously gave him.

I wonder though, if you have your cats vaccinated for FeLv, is there danger in having a "positive" cat? I'm not as knowledgable about this subject as I probably should be.

Back before there were vaccinations I had a cat who died of this disease. She was 10 years old. I had another cat at the time that had grown up as a kitten very close to her and never got this disease but lived to be 16 years old. I'm just wondering whether being positive really means the cat can't be around others.

[Odonata]

6. The vaccinations aren't really that effective

for constant exposure. Besides, my parents have two kitties. One is an old lady, and the other is on medicine that makes him immuno-suppressed. I live in a shoe box apartment with three kitties -- two of which are less than a year old.

[IndyOp]

5. My house is full - but if you say where you are - what state...

that might help. Cross-post the thread in the DU forum that matches your home state, too.

Is his life likely to be as long as usual?

:kick:

[Odonata]

7. Thanks

I've posted to all the state groups in my area. His life span is difficult to predict. FeLV is a retro-virus similar to HIV. He's not sick now, and it's difficult to predict if/when he'll actually become sick.

[Odonata]

8. Widget has a good home now!

My parents' vet has decided to take Widget in. The vet recently lost a a cat to feline leukemia, and his kids miss having him around to take care of.

Thanks for your concerns and well wishes!

[Robeson]

9. Great news! Sounds like Widget is going to have a good home....

....and will receive top-notch care...:thumbsup:

[Beaverhausen]

10. Great news. I have a friend who only takes in FIV postive cats

She works so hard to give them the best care she can. She has one now who is nearly 19 years old!!!

[IndyOp]

11. Yeah - Widget gets the BEST home -

He has a live-in doctor and new best friend kids!

:woohoo: Odonata & :woohoo: Widget

[Eurobabe]

12. aww how adorable, great news that he has a forever home

with a VET!!

[demnan]

13. That's great!

I'm happy for the little guy and for you too. I know you are relieved.

Interesting that the shots don't do that much good. I wouldn't have known that.

[superconnected]

14. This is such good news!

Thank you Odonata for finding him a good home!

That's vet is great. I would love to have widget if I didn't have 6 cats already (sort of 7 now as a new one showed up.)

Widget will get the best care now! Lucky Widget!

[regnaD kciN]

15. Another hero emerges...

:yourock:

[MsTryska]

16. what a great story and what a cutie pie of a cat!

I hope he gets to grow into his ears.

[Lisa0825]

17. YAY!!!

He's sooooooo adorable! I'm glad he found a good home! :loveya:

[AirmensMom]

18. Great news!

He's such a cutie! I'm glad he found a home. :loveya: