I wanted to provide an intimate story of all these loved pets who passed away from FeLV+, as well as a place to learn about the effects on a cat’s health and quality of life. I wanted to help those in the in the animal medicine fields to have a place to go for research purposes of infected FeLV+ cat behavior and the many symptoms of this horrid disease. I also wanted to provide a go-to website for those cat owners who have a pet that is diagnosed with FeLV+ for their own knowledge. This way they can gain from our experience what to expect when their cat contracts the illness and to find out who is doing research for a cure.

You can make all FeLV+ cats lives better by sponsoring research through several different animal foundations who are devoted to eradicating this devastating disease.

Below is the contact information of several organizations who are leading the research community to help end FeLV+. Links to their websites can be found in the right side column of this blog page under FeLV+ Research Organizations:

1. The Morris Animal Foundation is a non-profit organization. Since 1950, the foundation has been caring for cats, investing in more than 300 feline health studies for a total exceeding $9.5 million. Through their studies they helped lead to the first vaccine for feline leukemia, which has saved the lives of thousands of cats. The Morris Animal foundation has pledged $1 million for feline health research alone this year. Through their foundation you can give a general donation to to a current sponsored study that is already underway or you can choose to sponsor your own study with a minimum donation of $3,000.

10200 East Girard Ave
Suite B430
Denver, CO 80231
(800) 243-2345

2. Marley’s Cat Fund is another foundation that was created by a cat lover her lost her precious cat Marley to FeLV+ in 2001. Joy Eubanks was working toward her masters in international studies with a concentration in public relations at East Carolina University when her best friend and soul mate, Marley passed away in her arms in October of 2001. He had been diagnosed with Feline Leukemia. After several attempts to fight the cancer that was caused by the disease with chemotherapy treatment, his body became immune and slowly shut down.

Nine days after his death, with the help of her classmates, Eubanks founded Marley’s Cat Tales to raise awareness and help fight against feline retroviruses, including both feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency viruses (FIV). This would be the first USDA licensed and regulated safe haven in the state of North Carolina for animals infected with feline leukemia.

Marley, the orange longhaired Tabby, was only a year and seven months old when he was put to sleep the day after Eubank’s birthday.

Marley’s Cat Tales is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for FeLV+ and FIV (Feline HIV) community education and making life better for affected cats. She works through IDEXX Laboratories.

3608 Speight Seed Farm Road
Winterville, NC 28590
(252) 661-MEOW (-6369)

3. The Cornell University Feline Health Center is committed to improving the health of cats by developing methods to prevent or cure feline diseases and by providing continuing education to veterinarians and cat owners. Much of that work is made possible by the financial support of friends. You can give your support to their invaluable research facility through a general donation online, planned gifts bequests for endowment, life income agreements, establishment of a trust, a gift of securities, or creating a memorial contribution.

Cornell Feline Health Center
Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine
Ithaca, New York 14853-6401
Phone: (607) 253-3000

4. UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine researchers first described simian and feline immunodeficiency viruses in monkeys and cats, which became the earliest animal models for AIDS research. The school trains tomorrow’s small and large animal veterinarians as it develops leaders in veterinary medical practice, higher education, public health, research, disease control, food safety, environmental protection, and biotechnology. Established in 1946 and opened in 1948, the top-ranked institution has been led by Michael D. Lairmore since 2011. The U.S. News World Report has ranked the school second among North America’s 28 veterinary schools.

To donate to the school’s research hospital, please contact:

University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 752-7024

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5. University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine’s Infectious Diseases and Pathology Department’s Virology and Immunology group is focused on a multidisciplinary research and educational program with a wide range of interests in basic and applied research which relate to virus pathogens and host immune defense to virus infection.

To learn more about their research and contribute to their school, please contact:

Chair: John B. Dame
V3-111 Veterinary Academic Building
Email: damej@ufl.edu
Telephone: (352) 294-4118

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