Bartholemew (FIV+)

2 year old Bartholemew is a small, tuxedo cat who our volunteer team are still getting to know. We will have more information on his personality in the coming weeks.

He's very shy at present and being in a new place he's a bit unsure of himself at present. He came to us after being neutered and have necessary dental surgery.

Inevitably Bartholemew has tested FIV positive. This is not uncommon for unneutered strays who get into fights. It should not affect his quality of life, however we recommend FIV+ cats live in indoor-only homes or have a completely secured/contained outdoor space as this will protect them from catching other infections.

We looking for a spacious adult-only home for Bartholemew with some fully catproofed outside space such as a balcony, terrace or even garden where Bartholemew can be the only pet in the home.

Bartholemew will surely make a wonderful companion for someone who can show him love and provide him all the care he needs, so he can forget about his days fending for himself on the streets as a stray.

Anyone adopting an indoor cat from us needs to be committed to creating a stimulating and enriching indoor environment and ensuring it is safe, i.e. cat proofing any windows that will be opened, and fully cat proofing a balcony or garden if there is one. The adoptions team can offer advice on this.

FIV, or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, is a much-misunderstood virus believed to effect 2.5-4.4% of cats globally. In the past, cats that have tested positive for FIV have been euthanised, but the more we learn about this condition the more apparent it has become that FIV cats can live happy and comfortable lives. The virus has a very slow effect on a cat's immune system, potentially weakening it over several years, and sometimes making that cat more vulnerable to secondary infections in the long-term. Every cat's immune response is different however, and  the right environment is the key to maintaining good health in an FIV cat; a balanced diet and a happy and suitable home. Many FIV positive cats live into their senior years. You can read more about FIV+ and visit some recommended resources here.

No matter what their age, all adopted cats leave Catcuddles with trial insurance and this is important to take out. For our FIV+ kitties the trial insurance is with Agria and if a policy is purchased within the trial period then you’ll be able to take out a policy for lifetime cover to cover any new conditions that may occur in the future.

Bartholemew is being fostered within the Royal Borough of Greenwich. We will consider adoptive homes in London or in surrounding areas for him.

Our priority is to match felines with homes that suit their needs, character and long term requirements. Please be aware that when a particular cat receives an unusually high volume of enquiries, our dedicated adoptions volunteers may only be able to pursue the most promising. We appreciate your understanding.