Hello Ms Moriarty,

I was just surfing through the Forgotten Felines website, which prompted me to consider a few questions.

CHECKING CATS FOR VIRUSES

I would like to know why the BC SPCA doesn't routinely test all cats entering SPCA shelters for the FeLeuk and FIV viruses. All positives should then get the IFA test, which is the only really accurate test to determine the status of a cat.

I believe that one of the criticisms that was made about Forgotten Felines by an "anonymous" complainant was that Penny March has FeLeuk positive cats that are not being treated. However they are isolated from the rest of her cats and treated when necessary. What would you like her to do with these cats?

THE NEED FOR RETESTING POSITIVES

As you may know, there are many erroneous results on ELISA FeLeuk tests. I have an ex-SPCA foster cat who was diagnosed by your chosen vet in Nanaimo and the Central Lab in Langley as being FeLeuk positive. I had the cat retested by a good veterinary office and the cat was negative. We were told to bring this healthy cat in for euthanasia on the basis of a messed-up test. Not the SPCA's fault, but a combination of laboratory and veterinary error. Cats testing positive for FeLeuk don't get a second chance at SPCA shelters. Penny is really giving these cats an opportunity that they would not get elsewhere. I believe that positives are also retested by her veterinarian after six months at her place.

FELEUK and FIV Positive CATS CAN BE HEALTHY CATS FOR YEARS

You probably know that cats carrying these viruses can live for many years before they develop any observable symptoms.

THE NEED FOR THE BC SPCA TO FOLLOW FORGOTTEN FELINE'S EXAMPLE ON TESTING

Many cats in BC SPCA shelters could be carrying these viruses and infecting many others, both in the shelters and in their new homes. You would not know unless the cats were tested, especially the male strays. I don't know of any BC SPCA shelter that routinely tests cats when they are admitted, so it's impossible to guarantee to those adopting cats that their chosen cat is FeLeuk and FIV free. I would appreciate knowing if any of your shelters routinely test for these conditions.

Penny March tests all of her cats for these viruses. How does the impoverished Forgotten Felines manage to do it with a budget that is pathetically small compared to that of the BC SPCA? They must be doing something quite exceptional and praiseworthy. Maybe it's a question of financial priorities.

To protect adopters you should really consider testing your animals like Ms March does. Why are these tests not routinely being done by the BC SPCA?

Jean Martin
Lantzville BC