Troubled Triplets Finally Find Family

A trio of kitten triplets finally found their forever family after a nearly 9-month stay at Helen Woodward Animal Center. Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry are three special little felines who came to the Center at only four weeks old. During the intake process, the Center’s medical team made a discovery that would change these three kitties lives forever. Chocolate, Vanilla,  and Strawberry had Feline Leukemia Virus — or FELV.

FELV is one of the most common infectious diseases found in cats — affecting between 2 and 3% of all felines in the United States and Canada. In early stages, the disease doesn’t show any symptoms — the only way to detect the illness is through testing. Over time though, FELV can manifest itself in the form of weight loss, persistent fevers, and seizures; among other symptoms. Typically, cats infected with the disease can go one of three ways: their bodies fight off the virus and become immune; their bodies partially fight off the virus but it gets incorporated into their genes and can turn up again; or the cat’s body fails at fighting off the virus and becomes highly at risk of developing a fatal secondary disease.

Upon initial diagnosis, Helen Woodward Animal Center’s medical team kept the Sundae trio onsite to monitor their symptoms. While they tested positive, they showed no further signs of having FELV. After a month of no further development in the illness, the team sent the trio to foster care. Over the next several months Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry grew from tiny sickly kittens to seemingly healthy, vibrant cats. They continued to test positive for FELV, but showed no further symptoms of the illness.

Shortly after Fourth of July, the adoptions team felt comfortable making them available for adoption. There was only one main restriction for potential adopters — they couldn’t have any resident cats.

FELV is notoriously contagious. Infected felines can spread the disease through biting, grooming each other, or even sharing the same food bowl. Thus, to protect a future adopter’s resident cats, the trio could only go to a currently cat free home.

Furthermore, the mere mention that these three kitties have a lifelong illness deterred several potential adopters. While they showed no current signs, and could very much live long and relatively healthy lives, not many animal lovers are willing to take the risk of huge vet bills down the line.

So Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry stayed at the Center. Summer turned to Fall and they stayed in their cat condo on the far side of the Center’s cattery. Those who were entranced by their playful, goofy personalities, were put off by the seemingly grim diagnosis they bore. Fall turned to Winter, and some at the Center began to wonder if the Sundae trio would spend their first birthday at Helen Woodward Animal Center.

But then, three days before Christmas, a family of cat lovers came to the Center. They fell in love with Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry and were undeterred by their FELV diagnosis. All of the paperwork checked out and, nearly 9 months after first coming to Helen Woodward Animal Center, found their forever home.

Due to Hurricane Hilary, all  departments will be closing at 3pm today.  Stay safe!