Animal Rescue Connections

11/05/2024

This year, we have seen numerous kittens with eye problems that require surgery to help ease their pain and help them stay healthy and find their furrever homes. Today's will help us fund surgeries for kittens like Gunner, Gia, and Shipley.

https://animalrescueconnections.app.neoncrm.com/forms/paws-in-need?campaignId=167

10/05/2024

Most people in rescue know the two different viruses most prevalent in cats. FIV and FeLV. They sound similiar and often are confusing to first time cat owners or those just entering the animal welfare field, but they couldnt be any more different. To avoid a book here, we'll limit our commentary to information highlights that affect decisions people make for these cats.

Our core belief at Shadow Cats is that these are only conditions a cat may have and as long as they have quality of life, then let's get on with the business of life and living.

Greta, below, has been living large with feline leukemia since she was born seven years ago. They are all healthy until the day they are not- as are we all. .............

FIV is a slow growing virus that most cats can live with for a long time. Many have normal feline life spans.

They are immune depressed so any signs of infection should be immediately addressed. Particular attention to oral health.

Many kittens are tested at an early age and show a positive snap test. They are almost assuredly NOT positive- it is merely the maternal antibodies they have not shed. Maternal antibodies are usually shed by six months where they then test negative. (Our opinion is that kittens shouldnt be tested for FIV before six months because it's usually a false label and hinders their adoption)

Do not pool blood for testing. Always test each cat individually.

It's no longer done, but in the past some cats have been vaccinated against FIV. Those cats who'd been vaccinated ended up testing positive. Even though they do not have FIV, they are responding to the vaccine. There were no markers on the vaccine to differentiate it from the actual virus and many cats were killed because of the false positive.

FIV+ cats can live with FIV- cats as long as there are no deep, penetrating bite wounds. Play roughhousing is fine. It's the deep bites that can be a mode of transmission.

The tests for FIV is the Elisa snap test and the Western Blot.

FIV+ cats are not special needs cats. The FIV+ cats and the FIV- cats all live together at Shadow Cats and have for over 25 years without cross transmission. ...........

FeLV is a virus that moves more quickly than FIV. It has a higher mortality rate but with veterinary support, an involved home and guardians, many FeLV+ cats can live longer lives. At Shadow Cats we have had many cats living into their teens. In our experience, it seems to matter when the cat becomes infected. If infected early on before the cat has a chance to develop a strong immune system, they seem to succumb at an earlier age.

FeLV is primarily spread through biting, mating and birthing. It is spread through the saliva. It is a condition that is spread through chronic exposure as in mutual grooming and nursing. It is less likely to be spread through occassional contact.

Simple handwashing between cats is always recommended.

FeLV is not spread by cats simply being in the same room together. A screen partition is the only thing that separates the FeLV positive cats from the negative at Shadow Cats.

Do not pool blood when testing. Each cat should be tested individually. A positive queen can have negative kittens, positive kittens or a mix of both.

Some people mix households of FeLV+ and FeLV- cats with success. They vaccinate their negative cats through a series of shots, especially when they have had cats that have lived together for some time and we can foresee a time when FeLV+ cats do live alongside negative cats, given certain precautions.
However, at Shadow Cats, we choose not to do this and our FeLV+ cats live separately from our negative.

The leukemia virus seems to manifest itself in a variety of ways. Cancers, FIP and other conditions can present themselves on top of FeLV. Regular six month visits with a veterinarian who is FeLV knowledgable is important.

Testing for FeLV is the POC Elisa test followed by the Idexx #26355. (Ask for this specific test by number)

Interpreting test results is not always concrete but essentially, on the Idexx 26355 it will give you the viral load if PCR positive. The Idexx #26355 also includes a more accurate Elisa. If both Elisa and PCR are positive it confirms leukemia. If Elisa is positive and PCR is negative, cat is still positive (regressive) and likely has a focal infection. The Idexx #26355 is the standard of care in 2024. The IFA is no longer routinely done.

There is so much more about each of these conditions that what we could possibly write here but if you have a positive cat we urge you to join the Owners of FeLV+/ FIV+ cats group where information is freely shared and moderated and that is the primary focus of that group. Tompkins of Tompkins Foundation for FeLV Advocacy has periodic podcasts and webinars via @ Community Cats Podcast.

Learn so you know and can pass on solid information as we know it today. The knowledge surrounding feline leukemia is fluid, what we know today is different that what we knew last year or what we'll know next year.

It's a virus.....

10/02/2024

09/19/2024

We need your help to meet our goal of 200 sponsored cats from rescue to adoption!
www.thebiggivesa.org/organizations/animal-rescue-connections

09/19/2024

Please donate and help us spread the word!
www.thebiggivesa.org/organizations/animal-rescue-connections

09/18/2024

The Big Give has started! Your support is crucial in creating a better world for our feline friends. 😺
Learn more and donate here: www.thebiggivesa.org/organizations/animal-rescue-connections

09/12/2024

The Big Give starts next week! Help us spread the word: www.thebiggivesa.org/organizations/animal-rescue-connections

09/03/2024

Mama cat and 3 kittens were reported in Singing Hills, Spring Branch. Obviously this was not going to work out well for this cat family trying to exist in a busy shopping area.

Animal Rescue Connections(ARC) sprang into action and trapped them all. They have all been fixed and vaccinated and will make a formidable team at your property keeping rodents away. If you have horses, goats, chickens, etc. and are plagued with rodents in the animal feed...these guys are the answer.

https://www.animalrescueconnections.org/barn-cats

08/22/2024

08/21/2024

Free Feral Cat Sterilizations with ADL!✨

Adl is offering FREE sterilizations for feral cats trapped within San Antonio city limits! Each surgery includes a rabies vaccine, FVRCP vaccine, and an ear notch. Humane traps required (1 cat per trap)—pet carriers won’t be accepted. Limit of 3 cats per trapper, first-come, first-served.

🗓️ Upcoming Dates:

Monday, August 19th – 20 slots
Wednesday, August 21st – 20 slots
Friday, August 23rd – 10 slots
Monday, August 26th – 20 slots
Wednesday, August 28th – 20 slots
Friday, August 30th – 10 slots

Drop off is at 8:00-8:30AM and pick up occurs same day from 3:30-4:00PM. All cats MUST be picked up by 5:00PM!

Help control the feral cat population in our community! ❤️

08/19/2024

Help us Clear the Shelter by adopting or donating!

https://donate.clearthesheltersfund.org/page/animal-rescue-connections

08/11/2024

We absolutely love to get pictures (and videos) of our fur-babies in their new homes. Thanks for sharing these pictures of Toeless (now Ginger) who was adopted this week!

08/11/2024

It’s back to school time, and these cats are ready to do their job, calming nerves and providing entertainment for their new families. Congratulations to the adopters of Conroe, Cyrus, Rigel, Toeless and Tyson.\!.

Plenty more cats and kittens are still looking for their forever homes. You can see our adoptable felines at at https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/tx/bulverde/animal-rescue-connections-tx538/ or https://www.adoptapet.com/shelter/85257-animal-rescue-connections-bulverde-texas.

Go to www.animalrescueconnections.org and click on the Adoptions page to complete an application and send it to us.

Adoptions are by appointment on Mondays through Fridays, 5-6:30 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays, 1-4:30 pm.

08/03/2024

We’ve been so busy finding homes for our feline friends, we haven’t had a chance to tell you about them. Congratulations to the families adopting Adele, Ambrosia, Devine, Grace and Davis, Hawes, Hawk, Mercury Silver, Mr. Mistofelees, Orion, Porter, Rafaello, Sirius, Sout and Lager, and Whitney.

Plenty more cats and kittens are still looking for their forever homes.You can see our adoptable felines at at https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/tx/bulverde/animal-rescue-connections-tx538/ or https://www.adoptapet.com/shelter/85257-animal-rescue-connections-bulverde-texas.

Go to www.animalrescueconnections.org and click on the Adoptions page to complete an application and send it to us.

Adoptions are by appointment on Mondays through Fridays, 5-6:30 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays, 1-4:30 pm.

07/23/2024

We love to get pictures of our former fosters in their new homes! Sweet Jazpur, now Gemini, is living the good life, learning about water fountains and snuggles in bed.