Captain

Captain was with us from near the beginning of our work with FIVs - a 'Founder Fiv' in the Fivery.

He was found, back in 1997, injured, in a country lane near us, and was taken to our vets where he had to have a rear leg amputated due to the injuries. He was, otherwise, in good condition. As no owner could be found, he was offered a home by another client of the vets. However, when he tested positive for FIV, the home offer was withdrawn!

He then came to us and spent the following fourteen years with us in the Fivery. Throughout all that time he was healthy and only needed some teeth removed, and had one minor infection, which cleared up quickly.

Captain was given his name at the hospital because the person who had found him was called ?Cook?. It really suited him as he always commanded respect from the others. He never let anyone bother him and rarely created any trouble. Having three legs did not seem to have affected him - when young he would climb and jump with the rest of them, and even in his old age, would hop around the garden without problem.

He had lots of friends, and would often be found in a great huddle of cats, especially in the winter.

When he died, we estimate he must have been seventeen years old, as he was around three when he came to us. He developed a growth on the larynx, which was kept in check for a while, but led to his final decline.

All in all, he is a terrific example of a long-lived FIV, and was certainly our longest resident in the Fivery.