Animal Welfare Professionals

FIV Terminology Policy

Words Matter!!

We hear it all the time: “FIV…that’s feline AIDS, right?” No.

At APA!, we do not refer to FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) as “AIDS” because it is not scientifically accurate,  it perpetuates dangerous myths which prevent FIV+ cats from being adopted, and it contributes to their needless deaths in shelters around the country. It is our job to advocate for cats, educate visitors, and dispel outdated shelter policies which harm cats.

For these reasons, when we are faced with the term “Feline AIDS”, all cat program staff is to educate the speaker on why APA! does not use that term, and why.