Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) causes immune dysfunction in cats but is not a death sentence - with appropriate management, FIV-positive cats can live long, comfortable lives.
FIV-positive cats have historically faced discrimination in shelters, with many euthanized out of misunderstanding about their welfare and potential quality of life. In reality, most FIV-positive cats live normal, comfortable lives for years or even their full natural lifespan before becoming immune-compromised. When immune dysfunction does develop, secondary infections cause welfare concerns, but prompt treatment of infections allows most cats to recover. The greatest welfare concern for FIV-positive cats is often the stigma that leads to them being passed over for adoption or euthanized rather than the disease itself.