Meet Leo. Leo is a recently-neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, stray cat

[japple]

that showed up at my house last week. I took him to the shelter and our volunteer group went to work to try and find a rescue to take him. When his FIV test came back positive, we found a rescue that takes FIV positive cats. I brought him home with me to wait until time for his transport to the sanctuary. He is a sweet, loving boy with a beautiful high-tenor voice. When my cats are inside, I can let him out to roam around on the porch and stretch his legs. I wish that I could bring him inside and let him mix with my cats, but I have one wild female who would probably fight with him, a blind kitty, and two very elderly cats. I don't think he would engage any of them, but I am not sure how they would react. I would gradually introduce my tribe to him if he were going to stay here, but he will be leaving next Saturday. FIV is not an automatic death sentence anymore!

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[shenmue]

1. Squeeeeeeeeee

[fleur-de-lisa]

2. Pretty Kitty!

Excellent work you are doing!

I have an elderly male cat who has always lived inside, a blind female kitten, her sister kitten and their mom. The three females were feral. A friend trapped them and after they were spayed, I took them.

The seeing feral kitten is the most tame of the three. She will sit in my lap as long as she can't see my legs (like when I have a blanket over them). She will come close enough to sniff my hands, but she doesn't like to be petted or held yet. Eventually I think I will be able to hold her.

I handle my old man cat as much as possible when the seeing kitten and her mom are around so they can see that he trusts me. The feral mom is now to the point where she doesn't run away when I come near, but I may never be able to actually pick her up.

I don't know how to gain the trust of the blind one. She can't see me interact with the other cats. When she first came to my house she was about 2 months old. She was small enough that I could easily catch her and hold her. She even purred. Now that she is older, about 8 months, I have to trap her in a corner to pick her up and she pitches a fit. I hate doing that, but I have to keep working with her to gain her trust. I play with the two kittens often, with various toys on a wand. She is very willing to play as long as her sister is with her, but she runs if I try to pick her up. Do you have any suggestions on how to get her to trust me?

[japple]

3. It will probably just take time. Try feeding the BK (blind kitty) and her Mom treats

while you are holding the sister on your lap (if you can arrange that!) If they respond to cat nip, maybe a sprinkling for all of them to roll around in together. BK will probably need to feel that her mom and sister trust you before she will start coming round for treats.

[ginnyinWI]

4. my shelter has started adopting out FIV cats with non-FIV

Before, they always said that an FIV cat had to go to a home with no cats, or another FIV cat. Now they say it doesn't matter, because the chance of passing it along is so small. It would take a deep bite.

That said, if your cats are going to fight with this one, better play it safe and not let them mix.

He's a pretty boy!

[narnian60]

5. A rescue that takes FIV positive cats.

Wow. So awesome.

[catbyte]

6. Gorgeous boy. I just love his magnificent, round tomcat face.

[japple]

7. I call him Mr. Sweet Cheeks!! eom