Update - June 2026
It has been a busy month for us at Stour Valley Rescue welcoming lots of adorable new faces including Sherry, Lolly and Pop, Jimbo and Rosie, Carla, Ronnie and Reggie. We've also had a few bundles of kittens joining our midsts, with six siblings from Bilston called Kitkat, Bounty, Reece, Minstrel, Aero and Galaxy, alongside a group of four kittens called Michael, Lemon, Jerediah and Wilhemina.
Momma cat Pixie and her five newborn kittens were rescued and are now being raised by one of our amazing fosterers, whose help is essential and greatly appreciated. If you think you could be a fosterer for us, please contact us!
Thankfully we've also had the joy of sending many of our furry friends off to their forever homes! This month we said goodbye to Wilf, Turnip, Pippa, Rufus, Mable, Florence, Meowsi, Willow, Lolly, Cinnamon and Spice, and wish them all the very best.
We've had lots of successful events this month raising money for the cats in our care, with a jumble sale at the beginning of the month and our summer fundraiser on the 27th. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported us, as well as all of the volunteers who help make these events possible!
Our next upcoming event is our quiz night being hosted on July 3rd at Amblecote British Legion, be sure to check our events page for more details and book a team if you're interested!
We're continuing to use the Vintage Cash Cow code maggiebird7879 to receive Asda vouchers and have received lots of referrals that all go towards cat food. Thank you for the support!
To find out more ways to help please look on our Donate, Events and Volunteer pages on this website. We appreciate any and all contributions!
Thank you 😸🐾
FIV / FELV cats
Some of our cats unfortunately have FIV/FELV but we try to reassure potential adopters that it is entirely safe for humans, dogs, and other non-feline pets to own cats with FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) or FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus). These viruses are species-specific, meaning they cannot be transmitted to humans.
While a positive diagnosis is not a death sentence, it does require a commitment to specific, long-term management to ensure a good quality of life for the cat, especially if the cat is white (due to higher sensitivity to sun-related issues, though this is not directly related to the virus).
Here is a breakdown of what you need to know:
1. Understanding the Risks
Safety to Humans/Other Species: Zero risk. Humans cannot catch FIV or FeLV.
Safety to Other Cats:
FIV: Relatively low risk. Spreads mainly through deep bite wounds (fighting). FIV+ cats can live with negative cats if they are neutered and peaceful.
FeLV: High risk. Highly contagious, spreading through casual contact like grooming, sharing food bowls, and litter boxes. FeLV+ cats should only live with other FeLV+ cats.
Outlook: Many FIV/FeLV cats can live long, comfortable, and happy lives, particularly if diagnosed early and kept as indoor-only cats.
2. Caring for a Positive Cat
Keep Them Indoors: This protects your cat from catching secondary infections and keeps other cats safe.
Veterinary Care: Regular, frequent check-ups (ideally every 6 months) are essential to catch secondary infections early.
Parasite & Dental Care: Strict, regular flea/worm control and good dental hygiene are crucial.
Diet: Do not feed raw food or unpasteurized dairy, as these can carry bacteria that are dangerous to immunocompromised cats.
Environment: Minimize stress, as it can lower their immune system.