Reaching for Hope: Hamish
Helen Morrison, President, Board of Directors
The Shelter is always full of Hope. For any new cat we take in, we try our best to welcome it, Dr. Sally and Pati assess any health issues, Debbie sets to work making it feel welcome, working through any behavior issues. Rod comes in to visit and spend time.
Sometimes they come to us with so many issues…and yet…we never give up Hope…that there is a wonderful cat there, for whom we can find just the perfect, understanding forever home.
Take Hamish. What a dear, dear boy!!
He had been living on the streets in St. Johnsbury. Several kind souls did feed him, sometimes giving him some shelter. He was finally trapped and brought to us.
He was a mess. Scarring all around his face from fighting. A gash in his front leg that needed stitches. He was thin, his fur looking a mess. And…he was FIV+, most likely from his street fights. That is one of the huge risks for unneutered street male cats.
But here he is with us now, safe and sound. He is always making biscuits or watching out his window into the kitchen area, interested in what all the humans are doing. He is sweet. He is healing. He is learning to play. He is filling out and looking so much better. He is a LOVE. And he is totally full of HOPE.
Sometimes they come to us with so many issues…and yet…we never give up Hope…that there is a wonderful cat there, for whom we can find just the perfect, understanding forever home.
Take Hamish. What a dear, dear boy!!
He had been living on the streets in St. Johnsbury. Several kind souls did feed him, sometimes giving him some shelter. He was finally trapped and brought to us.
He was a mess. Scarring all around his face from fighting. A gash in his front leg that needed stitches. He was thin, his fur looking a mess. And…he was FIV+, most likely from his street fights. That is one of the huge risks for unneutered street male cats.
But here he is with us now, safe and sound. He is always making biscuits or watching out his window into the kitchen area, interested in what all the humans are doing. He is sweet. He is healing. He is learning to play. He is filling out and looking so much better. He is a LOVE. And he is totally full of HOPE.
The following are excerpts from a post on FaceBook about Hamish and FIV by Christine Fournier
Every once in a while a cat comes to the shelter that tugs at your heart strings.
They have been through a lot…..they have scars and that look of experience of battling the elements on their face, the look worn, even though they are only 3yrs old.
Yet, despite all they have gone through they are gentle and loving and longing desperately for a soft place to land.
Hamish is that special cat at the shelter right now.
Hamish recently came to us when a Good Samaritan called, sharing she had been feeding him and had taken him in for the winter, but he really needed a forever home so he could get off the streets.
When you first meet Hamish his face looks a little sad, you notice small scars on his forehead probably from some street fights and he looks a little rough around the edges.
But as soon as you sit down in the comfy chair in his room….he quietly and gently jumps onto your lap and leans in for love and attention and you realize this sweet boy has a heart of gold and is very gentle.
Every once in a while a cat comes to the shelter that tugs at your heart strings.
They have been through a lot…..they have scars and that look of experience of battling the elements on their face, the look worn, even though they are only 3yrs old.
Yet, despite all they have gone through they are gentle and loving and longing desperately for a soft place to land.
Hamish is that special cat at the shelter right now.
Hamish recently came to us when a Good Samaritan called, sharing she had been feeding him and had taken him in for the winter, but he really needed a forever home so he could get off the streets.
When you first meet Hamish his face looks a little sad, you notice small scars on his forehead probably from some street fights and he looks a little rough around the edges.
But as soon as you sit down in the comfy chair in his room….he quietly and gently jumps onto your lap and leans in for love and attention and you realize this sweet boy has a heart of gold and is very gentle.
Hamish is a 3yr old male black and white tuxedo cat who is FIV +.
What is FIV?
FIV stands for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.
It is a slow-acting virus that attacks a cat's immune system, making them vulnerable to other infections and diseases.
While it is in the same family as HIV, FIV is strictly species-specific, meaning humans or other animals cannot catch it.
How it Spreads
Bite Wounds:
The virus is primarily shed in saliva and transmitted through deep, penetrating bite wounds typically sustained during aggressive cat fights.
Casual Contact:
It does not spread through normal, friendly social interactions like grooming, sharing food bowls, or mutual play.
Symptoms and Disease Progression:
Many cats infected with FIV can live for years without showing any symptoms. (Helen- I have two FIV+ cats and they are 14 years old. I have a friend whose FIV+ cat lived to 17 years old)
Regular veterinary care is important., to keep an eye on any health issues. Dental health is especially important.
Care strategies for FIV cats include:
Keeping them Indoors: this prevents the spread of the virus to other outdoor cats and protects your immunocompromised cat from picking up outside infections.
Routine Vet Visits: Bi-annual wellness exams are recommended to catch and treat health illnesses early.
Nutrition: Providing a high-quality diet is essential
Hamish is currently available for adoption at Kingdom Animal Shelter.
He is loving, gentle, soft and sweet.
He enjoys lap time, being brushed and petting and his favorite thing is to just spend time with you hanging out.
What is FIV?
FIV stands for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.
It is a slow-acting virus that attacks a cat's immune system, making them vulnerable to other infections and diseases.
While it is in the same family as HIV, FIV is strictly species-specific, meaning humans or other animals cannot catch it.
How it Spreads
Bite Wounds:
The virus is primarily shed in saliva and transmitted through deep, penetrating bite wounds typically sustained during aggressive cat fights.
Casual Contact:
It does not spread through normal, friendly social interactions like grooming, sharing food bowls, or mutual play.
Symptoms and Disease Progression:
Many cats infected with FIV can live for years without showing any symptoms. (Helen- I have two FIV+ cats and they are 14 years old. I have a friend whose FIV+ cat lived to 17 years old)
Regular veterinary care is important., to keep an eye on any health issues. Dental health is especially important.
Care strategies for FIV cats include:
Keeping them Indoors: this prevents the spread of the virus to other outdoor cats and protects your immunocompromised cat from picking up outside infections.
Routine Vet Visits: Bi-annual wellness exams are recommended to catch and treat health illnesses early.
Nutrition: Providing a high-quality diet is essential
Hamish is currently available for adoption at Kingdom Animal Shelter.
He is loving, gentle, soft and sweet.
He enjoys lap time, being brushed and petting and his favorite thing is to just spend time with you hanging out.