Will KittiCo test the cats for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)?
We do not routinely test the cats brought into our spay/neuter clinic, unless ordered and paid for by the client. If a cat seems in very poor health, the vet staff has the choice to test any cat in a trap. (We only do this if the cat is sick.) If the test is positive the cat will be euthanized. Releasing a feral cat that is sick is inhumane because the death is slow and painful. In addition an infected cat that is released can infect others in the colony. Cats in carriers will not be tested unless a test is asked for and paid for. Any cat testing positive will be euthanized. There are many reasons why KittiCo does not generally test the feral/stray cats for FeLV or FIV. Here are a few of those reasons: • Studies show that there is no greater incident of disease in feral cats than there is in tame, owned free-roaming cats. • It is unaltered cats, regardless of whether they are from feral colonies or private homes, that wander, fight, reproduce, and have the potential to spread disease.
