Anne Windisch wrote on February 03, 2008 11:30 PM: Thank you Review Journal for giving the public another look at a long fought battle caused by a so called "rescue" group called FLOCK that is still lurking in our midst.
Please be aware that, although many kitties are flourishing in their new forever homes, many will never get over the physical conditions that starvation, lack of water, medical care, and adequate shelter has caused.
BEST FRIENDS staff and volunteers from across the country are all "Angels on Earth".
RV Journal, please follow up on the prosecution of all involved, the public needs to know!

Sheila Smith wrote on February 01, 2008 12:05 PM: I brought in a rescue cat a few years ago who tested negative for leukemia. In fact as it turned out, she was a false negative. She lived in my house for over a year among all my adult, fully vaccinated cats before she got sick and died and we found she was actually leukemia positive. I immediately rechecked the other ten cats in the house. All tested negative except for two- Sylvester and Cookie Princess Warrior. Sylvester died within a few months. Cookie remains healthy. Interestingly, she is the oldest of all the cats.
So it is interesting that eight out of the ten cats exposed did not contract the virus and that two did. What made those two get it when the others did not? All were healthy and vaccinated. Who knows? And that is the crux of leukemia. We just don't know and so for that reason, we separate them for their own safety and longevity. The situation you describe Barbara was what I was thinking when I said in rare specialized circumstances. In another example I probably would not separate two cats that had been living together for ten years if one had FELV and the other didnt- situations like this demand exceptions I think. Also, it's a different in homes (more options) than in shelter environments. Bottom line for all of us I think is to do what we are comfortable with while at the same time knowing the possible outcomes.

Marcy Andersen wrote on February 01, 2008 11:42 AM: Thank you so much for running this informative and caring update on the Pahrump situation. I would be especially interested to see a follow-up on the prosecutions and zoning issues mentioned, because last we heard FLOCK folks were trying to go under a different name and possibly Allen trying to do trapping again as well. Plus, the issue of who the land reverts to and do they try to do this all over again (or in any case, why should they profit from a land sale after this). Thanks.

Barbara Williamson wrote on January 31, 2008 11:15 PM: I think there is varying opinions among veternarians.

I have heard from 2 different veternarians that I respect, that in their opinion, if the other cats in the household are healthy adults who are up to date on vaccinations, there is actually a low risk of them passing on the disease.

But they would still recommend separation if a person is uncomfortable with mingling the cats.

I personally have one FIV* (feline immune deficiency virus...which is very hard for cats to give each other provided they are all spayed/neutered) who also was a faint positive for leukemia.

After discussing it with each of the vets, I made the informed decision to let my cats all live together.

That has been 2.5 years now and everyone is still without the disease. Some of them are older than dirt and have the usual old cat health complications, but no leukemia.

As Sheila said, it seems to generally be a disease that hits kittens harder.

And there seems to be just a very high number of feline leukemia positive cats that are total lovebugs.

They should be adopted into homes because they enrich people's lives so much with their affection....they may not live as long as other cats but they more than make up for it with their devotion.

Patti B wrote on January 31, 2008 10:36 PM: Thank you to the Review Journal for continuing to cover this story.

The Pahrump cat rescue is the largest ever recorded.

This has been a huge labor of love and extraordinary amounts of hard work for people who have come together from across the country.

From the bottom of my heart, I encourage local residents to write officials in Nye County asking that they finally file charges and prosecute the people who created this tragedy. Write those letters!!

Thank you!

Sheila Smith wrote on January 31, 2008 08:31 PM: Kittens are at greatest risk of contracting leukemia. Adult cats develop a natural immunity and fully vaccinated cats are even better protected. However even these may contract feline leukemia if exposed- usually a chronic exposure. Any cat with feline leukemia should be separated from cats that do not have feline leukemia except in very rare specialized circumstances.
Best case scenario if in doubt- talk to a progressive veterinarian who specializes in feline medicine.

catadopter wrote on January 31, 2008 04:57 PM: Although FeLV (feline leukemia virus) can be contagious, it is not normally transmitted to healthy cats that are vaccinated for the virus. Go to the links provided in previous posts to learn more.

sheila smith wrote on January 31, 2008 03:56 PM: Cats with Feline leukemia cats can have great lives and live for many years with appropriate veterinary care, good nutrition and lots of TLC. They play, they are curious, they give affection and just generally are no different than any other cat other than they have a medical condition. It is a condition that often time can be managed and lived with and it is certainly not a reason to die - don't let anyone tell you they should be euthanized merely because of the diagnosis. There is so much more to it than that. They do have shorter life spans but while they are healthy, they live life well!
For more information and more about Cover Girl and her friends in Texas check out our website at www.shadowcats.net and visit the Live Kitty Kam where you will see some of our feline leukemia cats. You may even see Cover Girl and her pals living the good life.
With the progressive thinking of Best Friends and their knowledge and appreciation that all life is precious (one does not have to live a certain time frame in order for a life to have value)and their willingness to become involved, a small Rescue group in Texas became aware of this travesty in the Desert and working together, were able to bring Cover Girl and Friends to their final home in Texas where they will be loved and cared for the rest of their lives. I pray all the rest find a home of their own too.
For more information on feline leukemia check out this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feline_leukemia_virus and there are several other good sources of information.
Sheila Smith
www.shadowcats.net

Mr. Jingles wrote on January 31, 2008 03:28 PM: Meow, meow, meow, meow, meeeow!

Translation --- We need more cool cats like those people in the Best Friends Animal Society! Well done!

oldlawdawg wrote on January 31, 2008 03:07 PM: I could be mistaken, but I think there is more than one kind of feline lukemia, and not all are communicable, but at least one form can be spread from one cat to another, but no form can be transferred to a human.

As for Best Friends, BRAVO! I do not have a lot of disposable income for charitable puroposes, but I plan to track them down on the net and donate whatever I can afford in the name of my big, strong, healthy and loving feline friend who I rescued 13 years ago. While I have plenty of human and canine friends and am not exactly an "animal rights activist," I have few friends as loyal and affectionate as my kitty. I'd take one of the Nye County kitties if I could, but I just don't have enough space. My furry little friend and I truly hope the Nye County authorites conduct a thorough investigation and pursue a well planned prosecution of anyone involved in this despicable situation -- a prosecution that not only results in serious prison time, but that also sends a message to all who hold themselves out as animal care professionals. Anybody who believes this crime does not warrant serious prison time bcause the only harm was to animals without rights should be shipped out to Nye County to starved and neglected for a good while out in the elements in that 2 1/2 acre fenced enclosure. If this is not a sufficient reason to impose serious prison time for animal abuse (indeed, animal torture on a massive scale),than we must abandon any claim to moral or intelectual superiority over the animal kingdom.

THANK YOU, BEST FRIENDS!

Read All Comments