Just a typical day in the office for Romeo. Photo by Eris Qian.

ASG partners with the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA to match cats living with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) to people living with HIV and AIDS. FIV is a lentivirus or “slow virus” that affects a cat’s immune system over a period of years. FIV is similar to HIV, however FIV is

not transmissible to species other than felines. In the United States, approximately 1.5 – 3 percent of healthy cats are infected with FIV. The virus is spread through blood, such as serious bite wounds which are common among unneutered males. We are fostering two FIV positive cats at the office named Romeo and Maddie. If you have not been by to give them a belly rub we strongly encourage you to come by! Romeo is a very friendly orange tiger and is constantly out and about in the office looking for treats. His partner in crime Maddie is very sweet and is often found curled up with Romeo on a couch or in the Conference Room during a staff meeting. Health professionals and researchers have found that living with a cat can dramatically improve your health. People living with HIV/AIDS can adopt a FIV positive cat at no cost! Please contact Penny Goldman at

Penny.Goldman@asgva.org if you are interested in adopting Romeo, Maddie, or any other FIV cat at the local SPCA! Be sure to check out this article in the C-Ville Weekly about our special cats!