Update - March 2026

 

Life continues to be very busy at Stour Valley Cat Rescue. We are pleased to say that several of our beautiful cats have found new homes including Soo, Oscar, Matilda, Venus and Pluto, Billy and Roxy. We hope they and their new owners will be happy together.

 

Charlie and Pudding have joined us, and as always there is a waiting list of more to come in.

 

All our new residents are thoroughly checked by our vet, this includes being blood tested, neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and medicated as required. After plenty of TLC and good food they are soon ready for rehoming. Remember you can see photos of our cats in our ‘Meet our cats and kittens' page or on our Facebook page. You will see we have many pairs needing homes together.

 

Recently we’ve had daily visits from a cat in our garden. He appears when he hears the plates clattering at breakfast time and knows that one of our kind volunteers makes sure he has a good helping too! We haven’t been able to check for a microchip yet but suspect he’s a stray, another potential resident!

 

Our volunteers have all been busy updating cleaning procedures to ensure our rescue is always a safe and hygienic environment for our cats. We are always looking for ways to enhance our accommodation. We really need to replace our kitchen units so if anyone is getting rid of any please let us know.

 

We thank you all for your continued support and look forward to seeing you at our forthcoming fundraisers.

 

Jumble Sale at Amblecote Village Hall on Saturday 11th April - 2pm

 

Quiz night at Amblecote British Legion Friday 17th April - 7.30pm

 

See our events page for more details.

 

We wish you all a very HAPPY EASTER from all at Stour Valley Cat Rescue.

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.