FIV-positive cats can live long, healthy, and high-quality lives with appropriate management, and the historical recommendation for euthanasia at diagnosis is no longer supported by evidence.
FIV-positive cats represent a population whose welfare has historically been severely compromised by misinformation and euthanasia at diagnosis. Modern evidence supports that FIV-positive cats can live normal lifespans with routine veterinary monitoring and appropriate management. Shelter policies that euthanize FIV-positive cats deny animals years of good quality life based on outdated information. Owner education about FIV's actual prognosis is one of the most impactful welfare interventions available for this population, transforming outcomes for individual cats and reducing unnecessary euthanasia.