By Ira Fischer

  Recently, I visited the local kennel to check-out its boarding facilities. As I walked by one of the cages, I noticed that the cat inside was rubbing his head against the wire mesh door and purring. I reached into the cage and began petting him. Instantly, love and affection oozed from this cat (so much for the myth of the aloofness of felines). I noticed that there was a tag on his cage. It indicated that the cat’s name was Patches. It also indicated that he was up for adoption.

  Puzzled that Patches was up for adoption, I asked the attendant what were the circumstances that brought this about. I learned that Patches was given to the kennel about six months earlier by someone who had lost her home through foreclosure. I was also informed that Patches had Feline Leukemia Virus (“FeLV”), a deadly virus that can be transmitted between cats. I was surprised, since Patches showed no outward signs of being in ill health. Indeed, my observations were that his eyes were clear and bright, his coat was full and shiny, and he was perky and very playful. Amazingly, although heart-wounded and confused by finding himself homeless - - the victim of a housing crisis he cannot understand - - love, nevertheless, still radiated from within Patches.

  I was deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate predicament, and could not get Patches off my mind. Although the shelter provided Patches with quality care, the disturbing thought kept coming back of such a beautiful animal condemned to live out his life in a cold, metal cage. Given the grossly disproportionate number of homeless cats to available homes, the prospects of an adult cat being adopted is not very promising. Consequently, Patches, who was estimated to be about five years old, already has one strike against him. Couple this with the diagnosis of FeLV made an already difficult situation all the more difficult.

  The realization that oftentimes life is not always fair did little to ease my troubled thoughts of the sad plight of this beautiful animal. I wondered, how much longer could Patches continue to be confined, until his spirit would be broken and he would no longer rub his head and purr with each passerby, having given up hope of finding the home he so desperately needed. Out of frustration, I began reading the literature on FeLV. The literature indicated there are two tests to determine if a cat is FeLV-positive. The most frequently used test is ELISA (commonly called the “snap” test). ELISA is typically performed by a veterinarian and is a quick and efficient screening device. However, it can produce a false-positive. In contrast, the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody test (“IFA”) is done in a medical laboratory and its results are considered conclusive.

  Although it was a long shot, a confirmatory IFA test presented a flickering hope for Patches. I contacted the vet in charge of the kennel and asked him to let Patches be given an IFA test on the off-chance that he had a false-positive. The vet agreed. A few days later, I received a phone call with the test results. Patches was negative!

  I was elated at hearing the news. The obvious implications of the results for Patches meant a fighting chance to find a home. Beyond the implications for Patches, is the question of how many countless cats have been euthanized, or doomed to an existence in quarantine, and could have been spared by a simple confirmatory test. The lesson is that where ELISA is positive for FeLV, an extra step of a confirmatory IFA test should be given before cat owners resign their pet (and themselves) to the consequences of this devastating disease.

  While Patches had overcome his biggest battle, he still faced an uphill struggle in his search for a home. After learning that Patches was negative, I contacted Feline Friends to make them aware of the potential benefits of an IFA test and mentioned to Beth that the shelter where Patches was housed did not have a website that promoted adoptions. Beth generously offered to post Patches on their website under “Adopt Us!”. Despite the posting, as well as an attempt to find a home for Patches via an article that I had written about his sad plight, these efforts were of no avail. Fortunately, Patches indomitable spirit remained alive. This was clear from regular visits to the kennel (so Patches could feel the warmth of a caring hand to reassure him that he was not forgotten) when Patches would continue to rub his head against the wire mesh door and purr. It was as though, if he could speak, Patches might say: “Please, save me, so I can live the rest of my life as a happy cat with someone to love”.

  The question remained whether someone would open their heart and give Patches the ultimate gesture of kindness - - the loving home that he so desperately needed. Then one day I went to visit Feline Friends. While talking with Beth, a volunteer (Joyce) arrived. Joyce mentioned to Beth that she knew of someone who would be visiting Feline Friends with a view towards adopting a cat. Beth responded that I knew a cat named Patches that was in need of a home. I was amazed at this selfless gesture, as Feline Friends had dozens of cats that they painstakingly care for, all of which were also in need of a home.

  When I indicated to Joyce that I had written about Patches, she said that she would send it to this lady. A few weeks later, I learned that she would be going to the kennel to see Patches on the following day. My initial enthusiasm of this news was dashed, however, when Joyce mentioned that the woman really wanted a female cat. The following day, I received an e-mail from Joyce. The subject: “Wonderful News”. The e-mail read, “Patches now has a new home. Marsha went to [the kennel] today and fell in love with him.  She … brought him home where he will be loved beyond belief”. Marcia later added, “Patches sleeps with Marcia and follows her around like a puppy dog”.

  After nine long months of being confined in a cage, Patches was finally free, free to follow his heart and to be with his new found angel - - Marcia. After the news, I was introduced to Marcia and she invited me to see Patches in his new home. Seeing Patches no longer in a cage was nothing less than sheer joy. This happy ending was made possible by Feline Friends, and a note of special thanks is in order to Beth, Cindy and Joyce, who made Patches - One Lucky Cat!