This is the first in a week-long series of interview with less adoptable pets inspired by the BlogPaws Be the Change challenge. All the cats I am interviewing need a home.
Sophie is an FeLV-positive cow kitty who lives at the Marley House in Greenville, NC. The Marley Fund rescues FeLV and FIV+ kitties, who either live at the Marley House or in foster homes. The Marley Fund also promotes awareness and education about FeLV and FIV (there are a lot of myths about these two viruses).
In spite of having tested positive for the FeLV virus you would never know there is anything amiss with Sophie. She has a fabulous personality and we hit it off immediately. We had a great time dishing up girl talk!
Sophie, you are about 5 and a half (according to the Marley Fund website, your birthday is 2/13/05), and they tell me you have been there a long time. Did you come to the Marley House as a kitten? And where did you come from?
Meow, meow! Originally I am from Cary, NC, very near our state’s capital and the only veterinarian college in the state. I was surrendered by my owner to the Marley Fund when I was about 1 year old. It seems that my first owner had another kitty that was negative and they tell me I can’t be around negative kitties. Thank goodness for my new mommies at Marley Fund.
Why are you called “sophisticated” Sophie?
Purrrrr… can’t you tell, I’m a diva! I love the finer things in life — just like my human friends, I love to watch TV, I’m very smart and I know what love is. Plus I can make Excel charts, among other things, on the office computer at the Marley House.
Wow, I only know how to do Word! Tell me a little bit about your life at Marley House.
Life at the Marley House is safe and warm and I have several mommies that come in each day and love on me. We live in an open community room and have lots of fun. My BFF is Cher, she and I are like peas and carrots — we both are a bit jealous and would love to have a human all to ourselves.
What are your favorite activities?
I love to watch my “Cat Sitter” and “Catwoman” videos, watching what is going on outdoors from the big windows, and curling up with my little friend Cher; we look alike too.
What does living with an FeLV carrier like you involve?
Well, it seems to be everyone else that is worried about it, not me. I don’t know the difference. Medically, my life has been normal with exception of having a couple teeth pulled, but that happens to lots of kitties when they get a little older. I live with other kitties like me and we get along fine.
What are some silly myths you hear about cats with FeLV?
Some people think FeLV is contagious to humans and other animals, silly stuff! If that were the case, how would veterinarian offices operate daily? I think most humans think of FeLV as a cancer that is specific to each animal, but it is a virus. Just because you test positive, it merely means that one has been exposed. Boo!
Because you are FeLV, does it mean you have to be adopted as an only kitty?
No, I can live with others like me; hence me and my furr friends with FeLV at the Marley House. So, just adopt a couple of us and all is good! Plus I like doggies, I can live with them too!
What do you think would be the best part of finding a home?
I would get to hog the remote control and not have to share everything with so many. I would like to be the DIVA that I am with a nice, responsible human that would keep me indoors with only with kitties like me (with FeLV). This is my dream. Will you help me live the life I deserve?
If you would like to know more about Sophie, or if you want to check out some of the Marley Fund’s other cats, visit their website or their Petfinder page.
What a great interview and even more fantastic that Sophie has a forever home!! Yay for success, and best of all yay for Sophie and her new family! 🙂
Sophie, I gots the FeLV, too. I’s glad you gots someone to adopt you. My moms adopted me over a year ago. I’s over ten years old and still going strong, even if I did lose all my teef to infections I had before she adopted me. I eats only real soft food and takes antibiotics five days a month (I loves Pill Pockets, MOL!)
Moms say she gonna donate to The Marley Fund, she like dem and wants more people to adopt kittehs like you and me. Purrrrrrrs to you!
Rassieboi kitteh
Sparkle, you DID a great job of showcasing Sophie (and Cher!). I am so happy to hear that someone decided to adopt them.
You are the first one that I’ve heard has had success getting a less-adoptable adopted. YAY!
Sophie did all the work, really, showing off how PAWsome she is!
Great MEWS! Sophie & Cher both adopted to a wonderful couple Jenn & Eric! They have one FeLV named Ernie and are excited to have Sophie & Cher join their furr-kid household. Thank you Sparkle! We have happy tears here!!! God Bless you!
Joy Eubanks, Marley Fund Founding President (Marley’s Mother)
Sophie seems like a really sweet kitty and Marley House sounds like a literal Lifesaver for FeLV kitties. Though Mom couldn’t adopt an FeLV kitty now, she says your interview will make her consider it if anything ever happens to me. Thank you, Sparkle.
Sophie! You are quite the DIVA!!! You deserve to be spoiled spoiled spoiled! Hope you find your purrrfect home soon sweet Sophie 🙂
We enjoyed the interview with the lovely Sophie! We hope she finds a home with one mommy very soon!
Meow everyone! Thank you for all your sweet comments! Purrr…Sophie!
Sweet funny thing!
It’s so nice to meet you Sophie, you are a lovely girl! I hope you find a loving forever home soon 🙂
I will purr that pretty Sophie finds a good furever home soon!
Paws crossed for a loving home for you soon, Sophie!
Our hooparents used to have a ‘cow’ cat like Sophie, his name was Sumo and he was a terrific cat!
This is a great interview with Sophie. She is so beautiful!! Our Rambler is FIV+ and is living a great life.
Maggie May and Saylor are in Marley Fund’s 2011 calendar! Everyone check it out and purchase one…..or two!
Sophie seems like a very sweet kitty
Wow Excel spreadsheets! I hope you find a home soon, and thanks for telling us more about your virus.
Hi Sophie, you sure are a beautiful kitty. Thanks Sparkle, for this wonderful interview and for helping everyone to learn more about FeLV-positive cats. We are purring Sophie will have a wonderful forever home soon.
-Pip, Smidgen, Minnie
Sparkle we are glad you are sharing these stories. I do not believe there are less adoptable pets, just that humans need better understandings.
That sure was a great interview of Sophie. We are so glad to know more about Sophie. We hope that someone will grab Sophie and give her a super home. Or better yet, take two. Great post.
Have a great Sunday
Well, hello Miss Sophie! You sure are a beauty! We are SO happy to hear that you have a place to be loved while waiting for your PURRfect FURever home! We will purr for you to find one soon!
Sophie is gorgeous and we shall continue to purr for her!
Oh Sophie sounds like such a nice kitty! We hope she finds a forever home soon.
Hi, Sophie, I have FeLV, too, and I found a home with a very nice lady. I hope that you find your forever home soon, just like I did. My Mom can and will tell anyone that living with a FeLV kitty is just like living with any other kitty, except that I have to have a few medicines every day. Giving me my medicine takes a whole minute out of her day.
Herman