Tashikin

The Shelter Intake Screening SOP

A clear, efficient, and defensible protocol for FeLV and FIV testing to protect every animal in your care.

A Non-Negotiable Standard of Care for Population Health

In a shelter environment, effective infectious disease control is paramount. A rigorous, consistently applied screening protocol for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is the cornerstone of feline population management. This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) provides a clear, logic-driven pathway for intake screening that aligns with AAFP guidelines, optimizes resource allocation, and provides the certainty needed to make critical housing and outcome decisions.

1

Test All Felines Upon Intake

Test every cat and kitten upon entry to the shelter, prior to co-housing with the general population, using the Tashikin FeLV Ag/FIV Ab Combo Test.

Operational Rationale:

There is no 'low-risk' cat. The health and history of stray or surrendered animals are often unknown. Testing every feline universally is the only way to effectively mitigate the risk of introducing these viruses into your established population.

2

Follow Age-Specific Pathways

For Adult Cats (> 6 Months Old)

The initial test result is considered an accurate reflection of the cat's infection status. Proceed directly to the Result Interpretation & Action Matrix below.

For Kittens (< 6 Months Old)

The initial test result provides a preliminary status for immediate housing decisions, but requires a mandatory follow-up.

  • FeLV Antigen: A positive result is considered accurate.
  • FIV Antibody: A positive result may be due to maternal antibodies. Mandatory re-test is required after 6 months of age to confirm true infection status.
3

Result Interpretation & Action Matrix

Result: FeLV Negative / FIV Negative

Action:

House in the general population. Follow standard vaccination and care protocols.

Rationale:

The cat is cleared. Re-testing is only indicated if a known, high-risk exposure occurs within the shelter.

Result: FeLV Positive / FIV Negative

Action:

  1. Isolate the cat immediately.
  2. Perform a confirmatory test (IFA or PCR) with a reference laboratory.
  3. If confirmed, house in an FeLV-only ward or in dedicated foster care. Counsel adopters thoroughly.

Rationale:

FeLV is shed in saliva and other fluids, posing a high transmission risk in a shelter. Confirmatory testing is essential as no rapid test is 100% specific. Isolation is mandatory to protect the population.

Result: FeLV Negative / FIV Positive

Action:

  1. For adults, the result is likely a true positive. For kittens, follow the mandatory re-test protocol.
  2. FIV+ cats can be co-housed with other FIV+ cats or in the general population if the population is stable and non-aggressive.
  3. Counsel adopters on the nature of FIV.

Rationale:

FIV is transmitted primarily through deep bite wounds, not casual contact. With proper management and stable social groups, the transmission risk in a shelter is low. The focus is on individual welfare and transparent communication with adopters.

Result: FeLV Positive / FIV Positive

Action:

Follow the same isolation and confirmatory testing protocol as for FeLV Positive cats. These cats have the most significant long-term health challenges and require careful management and placement.

Rationale:

Dual infection carries a poorer prognosis. The primary risk to the shelter population remains the highly transmissible FeLV virus, so isolation protocols must be strictly enforced.