Reddit user makes 21-hour round trip to adopt charcoal Bengal with feline leukaemia virus

This is the story of Joshua, a Reddit user who spotted a really interesting and beautiful charcoal Bengal cat on the Reddit.com website. We are told that he first learnt about this cat whose name is Ash from a veterinary technician who posted information about Ash and his illness.

You can see why he is called Ash. He has a very dark striped tabby coat and a dark face. This is the charcoal Bengal cat coat. The ground colour can be dark greyish/brownish or carbon coloured. There are Zorro markings with white goggles around the eyes and a dark charcoal mask over the face.

I think it is fantastic and so did Joshua who knew that the cat had the feline leukaemia virus which you can read about below. It is a serious illness but this cat was entirely adoptable particularly as Joshua intended to only have one cat.

Joshua tells us that he has an adventurous spirit and was taken by Ash's very interesting appearance combined with his unfortunate illness. He felt he could do a good job in looking after Ash.

Other Reddit users were also taken by Ash's appearance with 10,000 likes on every post regarding him.

We are told that Ash was found wandering around Dallas and was rescued. It might be the case although we don't know that this is a purebred Bengal cat that perhaps escaped and got lost and became a stray cat and while in that difficult situation he contracted feline leukaemia virus. This can make cats harder to adopt because it's advised that they should be a single cat in a home to protect other cats.

That's why I think Joshua was praised for his altruistic behaviour. Joshua is I believe a college student with some free time and the fastest route from Illinois where he lives to wear Ash was in Texas was an 11-hour journey (presumably by car). 

But he likes impromptu expeditions. I believe that Joshua is a Native American and a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Perhaps this is what gives him his adventurous spirit.

He has family spread throughout Oklahoma and Texas so that encouraged him to travel to Texas anyway. And as he's been caring for his mother and as she always wanted a Bengal cat, that too was a big encouragement to adopt Ash. He regards it as a no-brainer.

He made the newspapers which must please him. I'm writing this while reading the Newsweek story. And on this page - below - there is a link to his Reddit feed and also you can see on this page an embedded picture of beautiful Ash.

Below, as mentioned, there some more information about the feline leukaemia virus.

Link to Joshua's Reddit feed: 

joshua (u/redjww) - Reddit

The two faces of Ash’s car ride yesterday.
byu/redjww inSupermodelCats

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a viral infection that affects cats and is one of the most common infectious diseases in felines worldwide. It weakens the immune system, making cats more vulnerable to other infections and certain types of cancer, particularly leukemia. FeLV is transmitted through close contact with infected cats, typically through saliva, blood, urine, or feces. It can also spread from mother cats to their kittens through milk. The virus doesn’t survive long outside a cat’s body, so transmission usually happens through direct contact, such as grooming, sharing food and water dishes, or fighting.

FeLV and its Effects on Cats

FeLV primarily affects the immune system and bone marrow. Cats infected with FeLV are at high risk of developing:

1. Immunosuppression: The virus severely compromises a cat's immune system, making them more susceptible to infections like respiratory, urinary tract, and skin infections.
2. Anemia: FeLV can cause a drop in red blood cells, leading to lethargy, weakness, and pale gums.
3. Cancers: Cats with FeLV are at increased risk of developing lymphoma, a type of cancer that can affect different organs.
4. Reproductive Issues: FeLV-infected queens often have difficulty carrying pregnancies to term, and kittens born to infected mothers frequently die young or are themselves infected.

Symptoms can range from mild (such as fever, weight loss, or enlarged lymph nodes) to severe, depending on the progression of the disease.

Why FeLV-Positive Cats are Less Adoptable

Cats with FeLV face several challenges that can make them less adoptable compared to healthy cats:

1. Shortened Lifespan: FeLV is often fatal, with many infected cats dying within two to three years of diagnosis. Prospective adopters might be hesitant to take on the emotional and financial burden of caring for a cat with a shorter life expectancy.
2. Higher Medical Costs: Cats with FeLV often require more veterinary care to manage secondary infections and complications. This could lead to higher costs, which can be a deterrent for potential adopters.
3. Contagion Risks: FeLV is contagious to other cats, especially through prolonged, close contact. Therefore, many adopters with other cats are reluctant to bring an FeLV-positive cat into their home, fearing it may spread the virus. FeLV-positive cats are usually best kept in a single-cat household or in a home with other FeLV-positive cats.
4. Limited Availability of Shelters or Foster Homes: Not all shelters are equipped to handle FeLV-positive cats due to the need for isolation from FeLV-negative cats. This reduces the chances of FeLV-positive cats finding placement in foster homes or adoption centers.
5. Stigma and Lack of Awareness: Many people do not fully understand FeLV, and misconceptions about the disease may cause fear or hesitation. This stigma can make it harder for FeLV-positive cats to be seen as adoptable.

Caring for FeLV-Positive Cats

While FeLV is serious, some FeLV-positive cats can live relatively healthy lives, especially if they are kept indoors, stress-free, and receive regular veterinary care. Some adopters are willing to give these cats a chance, particularly because FeLV-positive cats can be loving, playful, and rewarding companions, just like any other cat.

There are also FeLV-specific rescue organizations and foster programs that focus on placing these cats in homes, increasing awareness, and reducing stigma.

 P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.