Three-year-old Ron has become the first cat in Mackay to be rehomed by RSPCA Queensland’s Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) rehoming program.
Ron will spend his Christmas in the care of his new loving family after being adopted earlier this week.
When the charming and friendly Domestic Short Hair Mix came into the care of RSPCA Mackay through the Mackay Animal Management Centre, not a lot was known about his life story or his history with FIV.
"A lot of the time, FIV cats are usually tom cats that live outside, but he's obviously been someone's pet at some point because he's so friendly,” said Animal Attendant Nerida Sadler.
FIV is a virus that causes a gradually progressive decline in immune function, estimated to be present in approximately 14-29 per cent of Australia’s cat population.
Symptoms include weight loss, anaemia and dental problems but, despite this, many FIV-positive cats are expected to have a normal life expectancy and similar quality of life to uninfected cats.
"We just realised that there was a need to find these animals homes because there wasn't any reason they couldn't live a normal life," said Ms Sadler.
“(Ron) deserves a chance and that's what this program's been really good for, is giving those cats a chance when, in the past, they might not have been.”
RSPCA Queensland’s FIV rehoming program has been running state-wide for 18 months, with Ron being the most recent of over 30 cats to be rehomed through the program.
Ron was the first cat at the RSPCA Mackay shelter to come through RSPCA Queensland’s FIV rehoming program
Ron was adopted by a local couple earlier this week. Photo supplied
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
