* Channing found his forever home with awesome people! *

Channing was found as a stray and brought to Hamilton Animal Services. He had a severely injured lip, ear, and some minor injuries on his feet. Even though he must have been scared and in pain, Channing was still a sweet boy with shelter staff.
We rescued Channing and took him straight to the vet where he was neutered and his lip and ear were stitched up. He was then transferred to his foster home where he had some time to heal and make friends with the dog there. At his follow up appointment a few weeks later, he was given a clean bill of health, and he started the search for his forever home.

One weekend in early August, Channing became ill. He wasn’t eating or drinking, and just wasn’t himself. He was clearly not feeling well. His foster family took him to the emergency clinic where he spent a couple of days having tests and treatment.  Channing’s blood tests at the emergency clinic showed that he was FIV positive, even though he had tested negative when we first rescued him. It’s likely that the lip and ear injuries Channing had when he was first brought into Hamilton Animal Services were caused by a cat who was FIV positive, and it took these few months for the virus to show up in his system.  Thankfully, Channing was feeling better after his stay at the clinic, and the vet was very pleased with his recovery at a follow up appointment a few days later.

FIV isn’t the horrible affliction it has been made out to be in past years. The virus can affect a cat’s immune system down the road, but most FIV positive cats live healthy, long and happy lives. And despite past beliefs, they can live with other cats who are not FIV positive.
There is no effective treatment, but supportive care and treatment of signs is important. This includes visiting the veterinarian at least once a year, promptly treating secondary infections, providing a balanced diet, and controlling parasites. FIV-infected cats should be kept strictly indoors.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FIVChanning doesn’t currently require any medication or treatment, and he is back to being healthy enough to find his forever home!

Here’s a report from Channing’s foster home:
“Channing is a very handsome male, orange tabby, about two years old. He is a very confident, curious, playful and active little guy with LOTS of energy. He has a strong hunting drive and loves to chase his toys around the house and pounce on them. He is very responsive and will usually come when called. He loves to be petted, especially under his chin. He has shown that he is comfortable with the large, friendly dog that lives with his foster parents, but we don’t know how he is with other cats. Overall, he is a quiet cat, but he can be vocal when he wants something. He sleeps through the night and has not shown any fear of loud noises such as thunder or fireworks. Channing was a stray for a while and has experienced the outdoors; we think that’s why he makes a dash for it every time the front door is opened! His adopter will have to be diligent with making sure he stays safely indoors. His ideal adopter would be someone who can provide him with lots of exercise, attention and play.”

Update from Channing’s adopter

Channing lives with another Ladybird adoption alumni named Chaps and they’ve become the best of friends!

Here’s a note from Channing’s adopter:
“Channing is doing really well and I’ve included a picture of him curled up with Chaps(formerly Itty Bitty).
He had his first vet visit or what I called a meet and greet to get a file started and they loved him and his little personality.
He keeps us laughing as he’s done everything from unroll the toilet paper to finding household objects and carrying them around like his ‘catch’. Cat toys are a secondary interest. Lol.
We’re so glad to have him as part of our fur family!”