Adoption

We Rescued 400. Here’s Your Chance to Rescue Just One.

Elk County Cat Adoption Event

Last week, nearly 400 severely neglected cats were rescued from an Elk County, PA, “sanctuary” by the ASPCA^® and the Elk County Humane Society with the assistance of the American Humane Association and PetSmart Charities. The cats were suffering from a host of ailments including upper respiratory and eye infections, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

After receiving critical medical care, many of these precious felines are ready to be adopted into loving homes. While some of the cats have special needs, all are affectionate and looking for special forever families.

Adopters can take home a cat for free this holiday weekend.

What to bring with you:

Please print and fill out the adoption application (PDF)
ID
Cat carrier

Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4
10:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Elk County Fairgrounds
316 Dietz Road
Kersey, PA 15857
View Map

All available cats are spayed or neutered and have been vaccinated.

Be sure to check out our fact sheet on cats rescued from stressful situations so you can know what to expect from your new feline friend. (PDF)

Why You Should Adopt a Cat with Special Needs

Some of our favorite felines from Elk County have “special needs,” but that doesn’t mean they have less to give—just more to receive! They require patient adopters who are, in some cases, willing and able to care for those infected with the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and provide lots of TLC. Not to worry, you will receive plenty in return, including years of unconditional love and affection!

Below, we debunk a few pervasive myths about adopting a cat with special needs:

Myth 1: I can’t have any other pets if I adopt a special needs cat.
No way! Even special needs cats like company, and viruses like FIV and FeLV are contagious only to other cats, not dogs or humans.

Myth 2: Special needs cats are always sick and live a very short period of time.
In fact, during the early stages of illness, your cat may not show any clinical signs at all. Over the course of months or even years, your cat’s health may experience ups and downs.

Myth 3: There is no treatment for illnesses like FeLV or FIV.
Though there’s no cure for FIV or FeLV, treatment focuses on providing the best quality of life. You can make your cat feel much better by feeding him a nutritionally balanced diet, and giving him lots of love and attention.

Myth 4: Special needs cats are high maintenance.
Au contraire! Special needs cats are generally pretty mellow, especially compared to a tiny, young kitten, who will run you ragged with his crazy antics.

Check out some of our favorite success stories starring FIV- and FeLV-positive cats!

Grande Dame Goes Home
Sassy and quirky, Jillian, who is FIV positive, was a long-term ASPCA office mascot who finally found her forever home with a compassionate adopter.

Just What the Doctor Ordered
A generous New York couple wasn’t deterred by lovely Lilly’s FIV status. They embraced the middle-aged cat’s funny grin and penchant for laps.

From Rescue to Adoption: Living with a Cat with FeLV
Wee Phoenix was rescued from the streets of Brooklyn, NY, and met his foster mom in a former vet assistant. Now he’s living the good life, FeLV and all.

For more information about caring for a special needs cat with FIV or FeLV, please visit our Cat Health library.

Learn More About the Elk County Rescue

During the early hours of June 24, members of the ASPCA's Field Investigations and Response Team assisted the Elk County Humane Society of St. Mary's, PA, in the rescue of 387 cats from a sanctuary known as the Animal Friends of Elk and Cameron Counties. More than 50 first responders, including staff and volunteers from the American Humane Association, which also provided sheltering services, and PetSmart Charities, which provided much-needed supplies, assisted in the raid.