20/12/2025
FELV. Four letters that sound heavy, but carry far more hope than fear. 💙🐾
Feline Leukemia Virus affects only cats. It cannot be spread to humans, dogs, or any other animals. FELV+ cats simply need to live with other FELV+ cats, or be your one and only feline, but they can happily share a home with dogs and other non-cat companions. What they want most is exactly what every cat wants. Safety. Stability. Love.
An FELV+ diagnosis is not a death sentence. Yes, these cats are immunocompromised, but here’s an honest truth many adopters already know: even cats without FELV can become ill unexpectedly and pass away too young. None of us are ever promised a certain number of years with our furry family members. Adopting an FELV+ cat is no different. It’s about choosing love for the time you do have, whether that’s many years or a precious few.
And that love makes a real, measurable difference. A calm home, proper nutrition, routine vet care, and reduced stress can dramatically improve an FELV+ cat’s quality of life. Many thrive, cuddle harder, purr louder, and remind us daily that joy is not measured in length of time, but in depth of connection.
Whiskers is one of the very few rescues in New York that welcomes FELV+ cats. We make them a promise when they come through our doors: they will always have shelter, food, medical care, and compassion. If they are never adopted, they will never be abandoned again. But oh, how we would love to see them find couches, windowsills, and humans of their own.
Right now, we have some truly wonderful FELV+ cats waiting for that chance. Sweet souls like William, Midnight Moon, Slots, Harper, Thatcher, Bud, Diamond Jack, Zeus, and Max. Each with their own personality. Each with so much love to give. Each deserving of a forever home.
If you’ve ever opened your heart to a cat knowing there are no guarantees, you already understand what adopting an FELV+ cat is all about. It’s not about the diagnosis. It’s about the love. 💙
Those interested can apply to adopt at ewhiskers.com/adoption. Those that made it this far, thanks for reading 🐈⬛🐈