Billy Willingham Tabby Concord, NC

Billy Willingham is a sweet and affectionate boy who has had a rough start in life. Abandoned and living the life of a stray was not easy on Billy, but he was rescued by a well meaning good samaritan who reached out to us to help find him a safe home. Billy bears some scars from his previous life, the most obvious being his FIV+ status. This boy is super playful and energetic and loves to have a good play session, then curl up in the sunshine for a peaceful nap now that he knows he is safe. Billy gets along well with other cats as long as they are up for a game of chase once in a while and he does well with people, though very small children are a little much for him, so we think 10+ is best. The biggest thing to know is that being FIV+ is no big deal and Billy can have a great life in his forever home. Billy can be seen at Princeton's Meow. ALL adoptions at Princeton's are by appointment only and preapproval as well as a vet reference check are required prior to an appointment being made. To begin the preapproval process please email us at PMadoption@outlook.com.

Here are the simple facts about FIV:

FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) is a feline only illness and cannot be passed on to humans or canines. Kitties with this condition can live long and wonderful lives if kept indoors, spayed/neutered (which this kitty is) and fed a good quality diet. They can live easily with other kitties who do not have FIV as long as everyone is spayed/neutered and gets along with other kitties. There is no reason not to consider a kitty with this condition for a pet, regardless of who you have at home.

FIV is a retrovirus that occurs worldwide, and virologists classify FIV in the same retroviridae family as FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus), but with one major difference: FIV is considered to be in the lentivirus. This type of virus is a slow virus that affects a cat’s immune system over a period of years. FIV cats most often live long, healthy, and relatively normal lives with no symptoms at all. FIV is not easily passed between cats; it CANNOT be spread casually. An altered FIV cat, in a home, is extremely unlikely to infect other cats, if properly introduced.

1) The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is a slow virus that affects a cat's immune system over a period of years.
2) FIV is a cat-only disease and cannot be spread to humans or other non-felines.
3) FIV cats most often live long, healthy, and relatively normal lives with no symptoms at all.
4) FIV is not easily passed between cats. It cannot be spread casually - like in litter boxes, water and food bowls, or when snuggling and playing. It is rarely spread from a mother to her kittens.
5) The virus can be spread through blood transfusions, badly infected gums, or serious, penetrating bite wounds. (Bite wounds of this kind are extremely rare, except in free-roaming, un-neutered tomcats.)
6) A neutered cat, in a home, is extremely unlikely to infect other cats, if properly introduced.
7) FIV-positive cats should be kept as healthy as possible. Keep them indoors and free from stress, feed them a high-quality diet, keep and treat any secondary problems as soon as they arise.