The St Francis Hospice for Cats

What would you do if your brother, sister, daughter, son or other close family member told you one day that they had been diagnosed with HIV? Would you turn them away? Would you ask a doctor to kill them?

Because this is precisely what often happens to cats with the feline version of HIV, known as FIV. Very few people are prepared to take on the "burden". They are so sure that such a pet could live for only a very short time. Some may even imagine that they might become infected with HIV through contact with an FIV positive cat.

Absolute nonsense.

Although, sadly, there is not yet a cure for FIV, most cats with the virus can live happily and healthily for very many years. In fact, we’ve heard of one such feline who is over 20 years old and still absolutely fine. So long as prompt treatment of any health problems is sought, many of these cats can live just as long as those without the virus.

As for a cat with FIV infecting a human, this just does not happen. There is nothing at all to fear.

FIV positive cats can be the ideal solution for cat lovers living in a flat or house without a garden, also for anyone living near a busy road who is afraid of potential accidents, as they need to be kept indoors, away from other cats (who they can infect). No feeling guilty for having a "house cat" who is not allowed to go outside.

Over the years, AARU has taken in, cared for and managed to home quite a few FIV positive pusses. Lately, however, we seem to have come up against a brick wall. Nobody wants them. They tend to be extremely loving and affectionate, but still nobody seems to care. Nobody will give them a chance.

Please, we are counting on you – our members and volunteers – to spread the word that FIV is not something to be afraid of, that these cats deserve good, loving homes, that they shouldn’t be killed unnecessarily. It’s not their fault that they have the virus; they don’t even know such a thing exists. Please don’t hold it against them.

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At one point recently we had four FIV positive cats in desperate need of a home. Finding fosterers without other cats is very difficult and we soon ran out of places for them to stay. We had reached the stage where we really didn’t know what to do.

Then we were told of an extraordinary couple, whose conviction that, "Everyone has a right to live, for no matter how long", led them to create an extraordinary place – a sanctuary where dying and terminally ill cats would be loved and taken care of for the rest of their lives. Living in only two rooms upstairs, they have dedicated the rest of their house to such cats. We contacted them, in the hope that Shirley and Michael Maynard, who run the St Francis Hospice for Sick Cats, could help us.

When I spoke to Shirley on the telephone, I was immediately impressed by her immensely strong sense of compassion and dedication. Despite the fact that the Hospice was already full to capacity, she was so moved by the plight of our own four poor FIV cats that she agreed to somehow make room for them all.

I must admit that we hadn’t expected as much help to be offered; then when Shirley was so very kind we all felt like bursting into tears of relief. Having been unable to find homes for these lovely cats had made us feel as though we were letting them down. It felt to us as though Shirley was some kind of heaven-sent guardian angel.

I simply don’t know what we would have done without her help. AARU and our FIV cats owe Shirley and her husband Michael a great debt of gratitude. We do intend to make a donation to the St Francis Hospice for Cats to say thank you for all they have done for us. Sadly, our own funds are severely depleted at the moment, due to the large number of animals and birds we have dealt with recently, but we hope to send a cheque as soon as we are able.

In the meantime, if any of our readers would like to make a donation to the St Francis Hospice for Cats, we can either pass on cheques (made payable to "The St Francis Hospice") sent to our PO Box address or you can contact the Hospice directly at this address:

There is also a website where you can see and read more about Shirley and Michael’s good work – www.paws.eu.com.

The Hospice is always in need of donations, due to the high cost of special diets and veterinary care. This is a charity that I’m sure you’ll agree is truly worth helping.