"Gilly" the Rescued FIV Positive Cat

by Mary
(North Carolina, USA)

Hello
My name is Gilly.
I am a pretty handsome Tuxedo male cat about 2 years old.
My story is one of TRUE RESCUE and the heroic measures that some people take to save us Homeless or Special Needs kitty's.

I was born in a Feral Colony close to a large Car Dealership in Florida in 2009. Most of the cats in my colony didnt like humans and stayed away from them. I was different.

I was curious about humans and I desired to be petted and LOVED by one of them. I seen alot of people coming and going daily at the Car Dealership and I decided to venture closer and have a look at these humans. A nice lady that worked at the dealership seen me and tried to win my trust. I was scared and reluctant to allow her close to me but she looked so kind that I gave it a chance.

Her name was Diana and she was very nice to me.
She petted my weary head and made sure there was yummy food left for me to eat. This went on for my first year of life.

Diana and I became very good friends.
I grew to love her and trust her with all my heart.

She would let me inside the dealership when she was working and allowed me to sleep under her desk at her feet.

I loved her so much and she loved me. I was a very lucky Cat.

Diana took me to the vet to have me checked out and the vet told her that I had been bought in at some point in my life by a TNR group and Fixed and ear tipped. (So thats why I am missing part of my left ear?)

Diana had me vaccinated for my better health and she and I was daily companions. But during my visit to the Vet,Diana was gioven some news about me.

I tested FIV Positive. I think this means that my immune system dont work like it should. It isn't a death sentence but it does have the potential to bring along health issues at some point in my life. This makes me what they call " A Special Needs Cat"

I stood by the dealership door daily waiting for my Diana each morning and she never failed to attend to my needs and give me alot of love.
Then recently (2011) the dealership was bought out by some new people. Must not have been animal lovers because they didn't want Diana to allow me inside anymore to sleep at her feet.

Poor Diana was heartbroken to have to put me back outside in the elements and she didn't understand and I didn't either.

The new owners told Diana that I have to go and cannot stay on the property. Diana was heartbroken. She didn't know what to do with me but she did not want me to go to the pound where I hear BAD THINGS happen to stray kittys.

With me being a Special Needs Cat, I would not fare well being returned to the feral colony and living outside in the elements.

Diana could not take me in as her apartment is a very small one and she has a older cat who will not tolerate a kitty mate.

Diana didnt know what to do with me.
She called rescues and foster homes and nobody had room for me.

Things was looking pretty bleak and time was running out for me because the dealership was pressing hard for me to go.

A local Sanctuary in Florida told Diana they would post pleas for help in finding me a home all over the USA.

My story was sent to a Yahoo Group site that deals only with FIV Positive Cats. One of the members (A lady in North Carolina who has rescue cats and has one FIV Positive cat) read my story.
Her name is Mary.

Her heart ached to try to help me but knew getting me from Florida to N.C would be impossible for her as it is over 700 miles. Mary emailed the Cat Sanctuary and told them she would love to have me but could not come to Florida to get me.

The people at the Sanctuary called Diana and had her to contact Mary in N.C to see what they could work out.

Mary immediately posted a plea for a Transport from Florida to N.C so I could come to live with her and her rescued kittys.

WIthin two day's Mary got an email from another lady in N.C who is an animal lover. This lady told Mary that she has a son in Florida close to where I lived at the dealership.

This lady said she and her son was willing to transport me to N.C to deliver me to Mary and my possible NEW HOME.

On Easter Sunday Mary and the kind lady in N.C drove all the way to the state line in Florida and met her son who had picked me up in southern Florida that morning and drove me to the Florida/ Georgia state line. It was there that I met my NEW MOMMY
(Mary in N.C)

I am now happy to report that I live in N.C with Mary and her rescued kittys. I get lots of nice food and lots of LOVE.

Yes, I am a Special Needs Cat with the FIV disease but I am healthy and the vet says I will probably live for many, many years. I have a kitty housemate named MAX who is also FIV+ and he is doing well.

I am a lucky Cat, indeed and I am VERY happy and have a forever home thanks to some wonderful people who go the extra MILE OR MILES to save one little Special Needs Cat.

I knew that getting to know people would be a GOOD THING and I do not regret having faith and trust in them at all.

Diana in Florida is very sad since I have moved away but she is happy that I have a safe, wonderful home.
Mary sends her updates and pics of me and we are ALL Happy.
If any of you see a Cat who needs help finding a home, PlEASE do what you can to help as there are many more cats in the world who need people to assist them.
Thanks for reading my story.
It time for me to eat.....gotta go now.
MEOW
Gilly in N.C