Christmas Is All Around Us

This is my friend from work, Betty.

She’s my favorite. Staff Favorite, that is.

Betty has been at the humane society for longer than most of the other cats. She’s small and demure, quietly affectionate, and soft as a kitten’s belly. She has a hidden charm and a personality that is often overlooked by potential adopters.

Most significantly, Betty has FIV. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Much like HIV in humans, FIV suppresses the immune system in cats, making them more susceptible to the common kitty cold and other contagions that can be life-threatening to an immune-suppressed cat. Also similar to humans with HIV, cats with FIV can lead very healthy, normal lives, so long as precautionary measures are taken. An FIV+ housecat should never be allowed to go outside, where germs abound. And because FIV is transmitted most commonly through serious bite wounds and deep scratches during fighting, an FIV+ cat must get along well with any other cats in its household.

Due to the nature of the transmission of the disease, most of the FIV+ cats I’ve encountered have been unneutered, feral males. Betty is a real rarity. She is a former feral, as evidence by her left ear-tip, but she is also a female. I don’t know Betty’s history, but from what I know about her, I doubt she was ever a feisty girl. I can only surmise that little Betty contracted the disease from her mother when she was born, or that she may have been attacked long ago by an infected tom-cat.

It’s a pity. But thanks to progressive shelters, more FIV+ kitties like Betty are getting a second chance, instead of being euthanized outright.

As Betty’s brand new sponsor, it is now my pleasure to help her get adopted in any way that I can.

I started a couple of days ago by taking the only picture I had of Betty from our website, and making a mock-up sign to showcase Betty’s talents. The image is low-res, and my efforts far from complete, but this is what I have come up with as far as ideas so far:

Today, I took the time to photograph Betty. She is not the most photogenic cat, and not too fond of eye contact, but after taking about 140 photographs I came up with a few good ones. As uncooperative as she was, Betty loved the attention and purred the whole time.

Tomorrow we go shopping for a pretty collar for Betty, to showcase her femininity in a room full of boys. By Tuesday I hope to have her display completed and attracting some special attention for Betty and all her charisma.

Wish us luck.