True Bromance: FIV+ Besties Firefly & Carson at Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary are Ready for Their Forever Home
Firefly and Carson’s story comes to us from our friend Crystal Chiechi, Outreach Manager at Purrfect Pals.
When stray 3-year-old brown and white tabby Firefly first arrived at Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary in Arlington, Washington, in early 2021, he was safe at last! But something was missing… A good samaritan found Firefly living outside their home and fed him for over a year. They decided to take him to their veterinarian to get neutered in the hopes of making him part of their indoor cat family. While undergoing routine blood tests, Firefly tested positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), so they, unfortunately, couldn’t keep him and risk passing on the virus to their other cats.
Purrfect Pals Cat Sanctuary
Purrfect Pals frequently intakes FIV-positive cats so they don’t have to be euthanized unnecessarily at other shelters simply because FIV is transmissible between cats. We most often see FIV spread in unaltered cats who are living outside fighting over resources, mates, or during the actual mating process through deep biting or scratching wounds.
FIV is similar to HIV in humans in that it compromises their immune systems and makes it hard for them to fight off secondary infections and other illnesses. However, FIV very rarely turns into full-blown Feline AIDS. At Purrfect Pals, FIV cats get to live out their lives here in our sanctuary room or go on to find a forever home of their own as singles or pairs.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
Firefly still had lots of life to live and energy to burn, but after a few months at the shelter, he was starting to get bored with only an elderly female calico named Big Mama as a roommate. Then one day in late August 2021, in walked Carson.
Carson is a curious, active Chocolate Point Siamese around 4 years old who was transferred in from another shelter after also testing positive for FIV. The very first time they met in our FIV Room, Firefly locked eyes with Carson, Carson rolled over and bopped him, then they immediately began playing and wrestling.
True Bromance Success Story
It seemed like Carson breathed new life into Firefly and this is what was missing all along: a best buddy to let off steam and do everything with. Firefly and Carson love to dash around their room, playing with toys, running through tunnels, cuddling in beds, relaxing on their catio, and grooming each other after a good wrestling match. Having Carson as his BFF helped Firefly feel happier and his behavior has improved by leaps and bounds over the last year and a half.
Besties for Life
Not long after they met, it was decided that Firefly and Carson were officially bonded and have to be adopted out together. Now, these two buddies spend all their time together, and wherever one is, the other is not far behind. It is a True Bromance, and whoever ends up adopting these two special boys will be incredibly lucky and constantly entertained!
Are you the one for them or do you know someone who is? Call Purrfect Pals’ adoptions coordinator at 360-572-4880 for more info about the pair or click on the links we’ve provided to learn more about the rescue and other resident kitties available.
In the meantime, watch these adorable BFFs play together in the TikTok video below!
@purrfectpals.cats Watch what happens when FIV+ Firefly meets the new FIV+ kitty Carson! #fiv #specialneedscat #catsanctuary #everycatmatters #catsoftiktok #besties
