Tazewell Animal Protective Society

While all kitties are special, we have a few at TAPS who have some special needs due to their advanced age, shy personality, or a medical condition. They would love to leave the shelter and become a member of someone's family. Please consider opening your heart and home to one or more of them. You can click on a cat's picture to link to his or her Petfinder site, where you can read a more detailed description and see more pictures. FELINE URINARY TRACT DISEASE Feline Urinary Tract Disease can take on many forms ranging from a mild bacterial infection to the formation of irritating and possibly obstructive urinary crystals. Select the following links to view additional information: Winn Feline Foundation article 1 Winn Feline Foundation article 2
Zelda
Zelda has not experienced crystallization, but she has had a couple of bouts of urinary tract infection. The infection has been easily overcome with a round of antibiotics, and she is doing well on Purina One Urinary Tract Formula crunchies.
FELINE DIABETES Feline diabetes can manifest itself in one of two ways—as insulin-dependent or non-insulin-dependent. Insulin-dependent cats require two regularly scheduled shots a day, while the non-insulin-dependent form often can be controlled through diet and/or oral medication. There is some excellent information on feline diabetes at the following websites: Cornell University Feline Diabetes.com Winn Feline Foundation
Buster
Buster is insulin-dependent, but giving him the required two shots per day is a snap. He’s such a good, calm boy.
CEREBELLAR HYPOPLASIA Cerebellar hypoplasia is caused by an underdevelopment of the portion of the brain that controls motor function, and it will cause instability and erratic movement in the affected cat. It is a congenital condition caused by infection or injury during fetal development but is most commonly caused when the mother is exposed to the feline panleukopenia virus. Articles on C.H. can be viewed at the following websites: Vetinfo.com Showmenews.com Messybeast.com Although the last article states that vaccinating a pregnant cat is not known to be a cause of C.H., that is not true. Vaccinating with a modified live virus for panleukopenia could lead to development of C.H. in the kittens; therefore, it is recommended that pregnant cats not be vaccinated.
Pebbles
Pebbles is our cerebellar hypoplasia kitty, and she is an absolute doll. The little wiggle in her walk doesn’t slow her down a bit.
FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS FIV is specific to cats and is spread through deep, puncturing bite wounds. This means of transmission is why it so often is seen in unneutered, free-roaming tom cats. Asymptomatic FIV kitties do not require any care other than that needed by all kitties--a high quality diet and a loving home--and can live well into their teens.
Smokie	Graham
Helmsley	Pedro
Meghan	George
Smokie, Graham, Helmsley, Pedro, Meghan, and George are the kitties we currently have who are FIV positive. All are healthy and looking for a new family. In addition to being an FIV kitty, George also is one of our seniors.
FELINE LEUKEMIA Feline leukemia is a viral disease that is specific to cats and suppresses the immune system, thereby making the cat more susceptible to other diseases. It can be spread from cat to cat through sharing of bowls and litter boxes, mutual grooming, and other activities where there is prolonged cat-to-cat contact. It is, however, a weak and unstable virus in the environment and dies quickly outside of a host. It is not airborne, and you cannot carry it on yourself or your clothing to other cats. Feleuk positive kitties can live a long and happy life in a loving home.
Lacey	Mindy
Blessing
Lacey, Mindy, and Blessing are our three feline leukemia positive kitties. Right now, all are doing well and would very much like to go into a home with their very own family.
CONGENITAL DEFORMITY
Forrest	Lt. Dan
What can we say about these two boys! They are the most adorable, loving,and lively little ones you ever could meet. They were born at TAPS with deformities to their back legs, but that doesn’t slow them down one bit. While they may require further medical intervention in the form of amputation or a cart, right now they are getting around great, and we are hoping that will continue.
SPECIAL NEEDS BUT NOT REALLY The cats pictured below do not have any special medical need or condition. We are featuring them here because their advanced age, a personality quirk, or their physical condition often causes people to overlook them for adoption. This is unfortunate because each one of them would make a wonderful companion for the right individual or family. SENIOR CITIZENS
Liddy	Tiger
Reuben
Along with George, who is featured in the FIV section of this page, Liddy, Tiger, and Reuben are our senior kitties. They would be perfect for a quiet household with a family that doesn’t want the activity level of a playful younger cat. These guys want nothing more than a nice, warm, sunny window ledge and lots of love for their senior years.
QUIET AND RESERVED
Eclipse	Minky
Miss Mousy
Eclipse, Minky, and Miss Mousy are three lovely ladies who are just a bit shyer and quieter than some of the more active cats with whom they share the open cat room. Therefore, they keep getting passed by for adoption. They would do quite well in a quiet household,and they would reward their families with years of love.
MISSING A PART
Baby Boy
When Baby Boy showed up at TAPS, he had a severely injured and infected eye, so the vet removed it. Baby Boy bounced right back and is a playful, healthy, active kitten. He doesn’t let having one eye affect him, and we’re hoping that potential adopters won’t let it bother them, either.
Please be sure to click on the picture of any of the cats in whom you might be interested. This will take you to their Petfinder site, where you can see more pictures and learn more about them.


TAPS Animal Adoption Center and Shelter 309-353-8277