In some states (like our neighbor, Kansas), shelters cannot adopt out FIV+ cats. It's a law that is based on fear, not science, and the Great Plains SPCA CEO has worked with legislators to repeal it multiple times. As is typical with governing bodies in the US, however, they always tack the repeal onto another bill and it ends up not passing.
So, for the foreseeable future, the best case for FIV+ cats in Kansas is that they get transferred to a shelter in a state without that particular restriction. Since Great Plains has a branch in Kansas and one in Missouri, that means that our Independence branch gets all of the FIV+ cats AND kittens that come through. (Luckily Wayside Waifs is able to take a couple off of our hands now and again.)
Here's the thing about FIV+ kittens - they probably aren't actually going to develop FIV. Sure, there's a chance, but they test positive when they are little because mom's antibodies are still in their little bodies. So the same quality that helps protect them as their immune systems develop also hurts them in their search for a home.
Because they test positive, kittens from an FIV+ mama cat can't be adopted out in Kansas. Even though they are likely to start testing negative after mom's antibodies leave their system around the six-month mark. So in addition to all of the FIV+ adult cats, the Merriam branch also has to send us the currently FIV+ kittens.
And we're lucky that we have that option. I'm sure you can imagine what happens to FIV+ cats & kittens when a transfer isn't possible...
