My name is Evander!

Evander
Male DSH brown tabby
Estimated DOB 1/21/21

Evander is the SWEETEST and most social boy ever! He is a talker and makes the cutest little chirps when he wants attention or when he is patiently waiting for food. He enjoys lounging in front of a window, following you around while telling you his life story, and getting chin and back scratches while he makes biscuits. Evander has FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), but he is healthy and doing fantastic! Cats with FIV live incredibly happy and long lives just like any other cat can. They can also safely be housed with other cats as long as they get along as FIV is primarily spread via saliva such as through deep bite wounds which we see in severe fights. Thankfully, Evander doesn't have a mean bone in his body and was likely infected when being beat up by a more senior tomcat outside over resources.

Backstory: The rescue was contacted by someone who noticed that a stray cat that they had seen around had an injury to his ear. The person was able to catch him and keep him in their bathroom for a day until he could be placed with his foster. Once in the care of the rescue, he went to the vet to be neutered and have the wound on his ear thoroughly cleaned while he was under anesthesia. Thankfully, the wound didn't involve any underlying structures and was likely self-inflicted. He had a severe ear infection which are very itchy but has since been treated and resolved. His wound has since healed. He is doing absolutely amazing in his foster home and is learning how luxurious the inside life is where you do not have to worry about other cats who want to fight, freezing temperatures, and fending for food on your own!

Housing: Loud noises/new people still startle Evander and his instinct is to run for cover. He will come back out within seconds after realizing everything's safe and then resumes his normal activities such as begging to be pet. He gets along with cats who are easy going. Based on previous experiences, we typically find that adult male cats that lived outside and were intact when found typically don't like living with cats who can be bossy who will try to pick fights. Another foster cat he is with has started to pick on Evander because of his gentle nature and he just tries to run and get away from them. He truly just wants to avoid any and all conflict. He's a gentle boy who'd do better with more mellow cats who won't try to pick on him. Additionally, since FIV is primarily spread via saliva such as from deep bite wounds (like intact male cats constantly fighting outside), we especially would want him with other cats who have similiar personalities and get along.
He has been around a young puppy and was very tolerant of the puppy's craziness. He has also been around an adult dog and did not seem phased by them as long as he was given space and the dog didn't go straight up to him and try to play and lick him. He likely would do best in a house without young children or in a quieter home because all that comotion and change can cause increased stress in cats which should especially be avoided in FIV positive cats. This just depends on the environment though and as long as it's stress free, that's what matters.

Medical: Because Evander is FIV positive, he needs a low stress environment, quality food, exams at least yearly and proactive veterinary care to ensure he stays healthy. Because he has a compromised immune system, he'e not the type of cat that you try the "wait it out" approach if he's sick. Although FIV cats can be more prone to certain medical diseases, they more often than not live completely normal lives compared to their counterparts. As medicine has advanced, we now know that having FIV is not at all a death sentence like it had been treated as previously. These cats live comparable lives to non FIV positive cats and deserve a home and love all the same. We highly recommend finding a veterinarian who is comfortable with and knowledgable about FIV. Depending on their clients, FIV may not be something that every veterinarian sees regularly in their practice, so it can be daunting and they may not be familiar with the most recent guidelines for FIV cats and how they can live normal and healthy lives.

You can leatn more about FIV through the American Association of Feline Practitioners' Feline Retrovirus Management Guidelines or from the Feline Veterinary Medicine Association's website and brochures such as this one!
https://catvets.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FelineVMA_FeLV-and-FIV-Broch_Web.2.pdf

All cats are spayed/neutered, current on age approriate vaccines (rabies and distemper), microchipped, given flea/tick prevention and dewormer, FIV/FeLV tested, and any other veterinary care that is needed prior to adoption.

Location: Evander is currently in foster.

If you are interested in adopting, fill out an application online at www.figandfriendspetrescue.org/adopt