What's New, Pussycat? How Shelters Across the Country Are Learning to Save Cats With Feline Leukemia

March 29th, 2019

At American Pets Alive!, we know that there are countless unnecessary deaths occurring in animal shelters across the country. We've made it our mission to show shelters exactly how to utilize the proven solutions developed by Austin Pets Alive!, in the largest No Kill City in the nation, to save more homeless pets. While there's still much to be done, lifesaving changes are happening everyday!

Shelters like the Naples Humane Society (HSN) in Naples, FL, where Kat Sullivan took what she learned from our Maddie’s® Lifesaving Academy to help build a feline leukemia (FeLV) adoption program at HSN, are stepping up to give our nation’s most vulnerable animals a chance at life!

My apprenticeship at APA! was so informative and inspiring and I am grateful that we are able to use that to help create change for FeLV cats in our SW Florida community"
- Kat Sullivan, Naples Humane Society

FeLV is a virus that impacts the immune system and may shorten the lifespan of an infected cat.In most shelters, these kitties are euthanized immediately. Because of the contagious nature of FeLV, diagnosed cats need to be kept isolated from other cats who have not been exposed.

Kat Sullivan

But there's no reason these cats can't go on to live healthy, happy lives — and in Naples, they now can! The shelter's new FeLV adoption program is essential to giving these special kitties a future with a forever family.

We have so many more shelters to teach about FeLV cats! And that's not all. We offer 13 apprenticeships (with stipends included!) that cover every aspect of lifesaving in shelters. We also host a national conference annually and visit shelters to give hand-on support throughout the year. #ThankstoMaddie

Will you help us save more lives? We're working hard to end the unnecessary killing of shelter pets and we rely on generous donations from people like you to do this work. Anything helps — please donate today and join us in this lifesaving mission! 


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