When Roger Maas and his partner Rich were looking for a new cat at Best Friends, they thought they knew what they wanted: an older cat. You see, their 20-year-old Siamese had just passed on. They certainly knew the ins and outs of older cats. Little did they know who would end up stealing their hearts instead — a couple of fluffy kittens less than 6 months old!

Not just any kittens, either. These two kittens are FIV positive and came to Best Friends on trade from a rescue in Texas. Rich and Roger admit they didn’t know much about FIV cats before considering the adoption. They’d heard about FIV, of course, but didn’t know enough to make an informed decision.

It all started when they noticed Pixie Dust the kitten on the Best Friends website before making the trip up from Mesa, Arizona. That adorable little face was all it took to start swaying their focus away from the older cats. But first, the homework!

After speaking with their vet and reading up on the subject, they came to realize something. They realized FIV isn’t as big a deal as they had feared. FIV cats, they learned, can still live long and healthy lives. Anybody who doubts that point can swing by Best Friends and meet plenty of healthy, happy senior FIV cats who could probably still give you a run for your money! One other detail also helped sway their decision. They knew that FIV cats have a hard time finding homes. Here was a chance to help.

So they swung up to Best Friends and spent a little time with Pixie Dust and her brother Half Pint. That’s all it took to seal the deal. They wanted to adopt.

Back home, the two kittens (the only cats in the house) have been settling in perfectly. They’re still a teeny bit skittish taking in the new terrain — ceiling fans in particular make them scurry by in a hurry — but they are affectionate as can be. If Roger or Rich lie down on the floor, Pixie Dust and Half Pint hurry over and start rubbing up against their whole bodies, head to feet. Can’t beat a full body massage!

Goes to show that sometimes what you find isn’t always what you started out looking for, but no matter how you view things, this was a happy ending meant to be. Congrats!

Story by David Dickson
Photo by Sarah Ause

Avoid the misconceptions and learn more about FIV. Then check out some of the other adoptable cats with FIV living at the sanctuary.

November 10, 2009 : 7:07 PM ET
posted by: limpy

I have always believed we wind up getting the kids that are meant to be ours. This seems to be the case with you.

Bless you both and many many happy years to you all.

November 9, 2009 : 2:02 PM ET
posted by: gaia33

One of my cats, Chryseis has FIV and Felv. I don't consider those diseases any more dangerous than a bad cold if the cat is properly cared for. I give Chryseis interferon, Transfer Factor and I keep up with the new treatments, of which there are many, so that we will know what next to use if she becomes ill. She is 4 years old and doing great--although she's had both diseases since she was a baby. I also have had 14 other cats around her and none of them have caught anything from her.

FIV and Felv are way over rated in the "scare" category, in my opinion. Most cats live long, healthy lives with these illnesses, yet many vets want to kill them!

November 6, 2009 : 9:29 PM ET
posted by: micky

I'm so happy for you and the kitties. We have adopted a foster FIV positive kitten Inde. He is the youngest in our home. We hadn't planned to adopt him, either, but he did not show well at adoptathons - stress wasn't good for him. Now he is our special boy and he is so sweet - everyone loves him. He has such a kind and gentle spirit, and yet he's so lively and full of joy every day! We're so glad he is our (hopefully) last kitty. Thank you for what you've done in adopting. We all deserve life. Bless you!

November 6, 2009 : 5:41 PM ET
posted by: Louvain

FIV Cats have always been a part of my life as a rescuer. They deserve a chance to be loved! Angel (Miami)

November 6, 2009 : 4:35 AM ET
posted by: kinkstar

Bless you for bringing these precious kitties home! I like that you game them new names too, perhaps more fitting to their purrsonality! They will surely bring you years of joy, regardless of their disease.

One cat in my clutter of 9 is FIV+ and though he has a heart murmur, he is a healthy boy, who is doing great. A former neighborhood tom, who suffered bites from fighting over kitty tail and territory, I took in "Bob" and saved his life. Anytime I see him sleeping in the middle of the floor with his paws up in the air, and his belly totally exposed - like a dead cockroach - it makes my heart smile to know he feels safe and trusts me with his life. Best wishes to your fuzzy family!

November 6, 2009 : 12:14 AM ET
posted by: Shirley Wombles

I really enjoyed your story on the FIV cats recently adopted. I have a FIV cat that I adopted and then found out he had the infection. After having a terrible decision with myself and fear of him infecting my other cat I decided to let someone adopt him. Cried all the way to the vet to deliver him. Within a few days the vet called and said the adoption was not going to work out I decided to do what I thought was the only thing I could do. I took him back, bought him a large cage, his own litter pan and separted him from other cat. For over a year he was separated from my other cat by the cage and at night he was allowed to roam in his own room. Then I read a piece in your magazine that explained that an exchange of blood would be necessary for the other cat be infected. By this time they had become friends. Well, let them get together and they are now best buddies. They both traveled with me over 300 miles for 2 years in a row for vacation. They are my best buddies. So good luck guys and enjoy those little ones you just adopted.

November 5, 2009 : 11:10 PM ET
posted by: knikolaidis

What a beautiful family! Blessings to you :)

November 5, 2009 : 10:04 PM ET
posted by: VickieB

Roger and Rich, your change of plans was just meant to be! It will be a little crazy for you since you haven't had a "Baby" in a while. But, that will just be getting used to their energy and funny, entertaining ways! I lost my 17 yr. old last yr and through a Miracle, I ended up with a Baby too. They are so worth the pleasure and laughs they bring you. What you did though is so admirable! I have other kitties that are all rescues, so I am unable to bring an FIV kitty into my home. So, on behalf of your two little ones....THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! You guys are amazing!

November 5, 2009 : 9:17 PM ET
posted by: djacob

Thank you so much for this story! I provide care for a neighborhood cat that is FIV positive. If I had taken him to the Humane Society he would have been killed. So I took him to a private vet for neutering, vaccinations, dental work and skin issues. I am happy to say he has gained weight, his fur and skin look great and he is just a delight! People really need to give these cats a chance and we need to educate even our shelters and Humane Societies are not just tossed aside because of the virus.

November 5, 2009 : 6:31 PM ET
posted by: carlybeth007

Congratulations on the new additions to your family! I hope everyone planning to adopt learns about the joys of having an FIV+ cat in their homes:-) Love, Carly and Sammy (former Kitty Motel FIV Room 1 resident)

November 5, 2009 : 5:52 PM ET
posted by: BunnyBinky

Wonderful story! Thank you Roger & Rich for giving this beautiful boy & girl a loving home. I had a kitty who was diagnosed with FIV when she was about 7. She lived another 11 happy & healthy years after her diagnosis. I hope Pixie Dust & Half Pint will also fill your lives with joy for many, many years to come!

November 5, 2009 : 5:07 PM ET
posted by: tampatuxedocat

yay! forever family! congratulations, those two kitties look adorable.

November 5, 2009 : 4:43 PM ET
posted by: Minah

This is for most cats, not a serious thing to have. I have had 9 beautiful, loving, precious cats with fiv and only two of them had what I call for certain fiv related health problems and it shortened their lives. But not even to a great extent, one lived to 12 and the other almost 10. I can count many of my non-fiv cats who have unfortunately died too soon from cancer and other diseases.

It is my wish that rescue groups and shelters would stop testing for fiv unless it is a known aggressive cat. If a health problem does come up then the owner should treat the cat like they would any other cat. I just cannot understand the hysteria over fiv. It is very hard to spread I have seen cats get serious bite wounds from a cat with fiv and they did not catch it. It takes a certain amount of virus to get into the cat's bloodstream and also the cat's immune system may also fight it off. It is not a case of one bite and the cat is infected or it is given a death sentence. Cats with this virus are either euthanized because people don't usually want to adopt them or they are stuck in cages for the rest of their lives and it needs to stop.

It is a terrible shame what fear has done to these beautfiul loving cats because most of them will not have any more health problems than non-fiv cats and most are not a threat to any other cats either.

November 5, 2009 : 4:23 PM ET
posted by: jmuhj

BRAVO! This is exactly the kind of story we all need to hear a lot more of. WONDERFUL and it certainly makes me smile! ;)