FIV-positive cats are among the most over-euthanised shelter animals globally, due to persistent misconceptions about the disease. With appropriate care, FIV-positive cats can live long, comfortable lives — understanding the disease is essential for welfare-informed decisions.
The welfare harm from FIV misunderstanding is enormous: tens of thousands of cats are euthanised annually in shelters based on a diagnosis that does not preclude a long, comfortable life. FIV-positive cats are frequently not adopted due to misconceptions, spending extended periods in shelter environments that increase stress and disease vulnerability. Shelters that educate adopters, use accurate testing protocols, and advocate for FIV-positive cats dramatically improve adoption rates and reduce unnecessary euthanasia. For owned cats, an FIV diagnosis often causes unnecessary owner anxiety and premature euthanasia. The welfare imperative is clear: provide accurate information, support FIV-positive cats with excellent care, and challenge the reflexive euthanasia that characterises many shelter and veterinary responses.