Cat McAuliffe
When Jenn, a volunteer from For Animals Inc., asked if we would feature Mario, a handsome black and white cat the organization rescued off the streets of New York City back in 2022, we eagerly agreed! Not only have we featured multiple cats from For Animals Inc. in an effort to help them find forever homes, but we’ve also fostered several cats for this amazing organization.
Through Jenn, we learned that Mario, like a lot of former street cats, has the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), an infection that is often misunderstood, making it harder for infected felines to find forever homes. We also discovered that like many cats who have been rescued from the streets, Mario is incredibly cuddly and sweet, causing the rescue to conclude he likely had a home before he somehow ended up struggling to survive as a homeless kitty in Queens.
We really enjoyed learning about Mario, and we hope you will too! We also hope you’ll share his story on social media, because we’d love to find this incredible boy the forever home he deserves.
Meow As Fluff: How did Mario end up with For Animals Inc.?
Jennifer: Mario was found walking down the sidewalk by one of our volunteers in South Ozone Park, Queens. She noticed he was limping and went back a few days later and trapped him. We assume he was once someone’s pet, and likely dumped. He is way too sweet to have been a street cat.
MAF: When was he rescued and when was he placed in his foster home?
J: Mario was rescued in May 2022 and stayed at the shelter for a few months. He went to a foster home, but had become constipated and soon after had terrible diarrhea. The fosters loved him, but we did not know what the digestive issue was. This happened with another foster months later. We finally realized he has digestive issues due to a tail injury he sustained prior to being rescued.
We think he may have been hit by a car or object, and therefore limps and has a crooked tail. He needs dietary fiber/psyllium added to his wet food twice a day. With this in place, he has no digestive issues. However, due to the tail injury and limited sensation, he sometimes leaves some poop outside of the litter box. But he doesn’t mean to, and it is rare.
MAF: What other medical issues did Mario’s veterinary exam reveal?
J: He has FIV and needed a full dental and now only has two teeth (one top fang and one bottom fang). Inflammation of the gums and severe dental disease, known as gingivostomatitis, is common in cats infected with FIV. FIV is most commonly seen in unneutered male cats who’ve been fighting for territory.
It’s spread by biting and body fluids and doesn’t spread in the environment. Therefore FIV positive cats can easily live with non-infected cats, sharing food, water, toys, etc. without risk of transmission. It is also not transmittable to non-felines.
MAF: What made For Animals Inc. decide to rescue an injured cat?
J: We have rescued many injured cats over the years (including Kody the tripod you featured a few years ago). We try our best to never leave an injured animal alone on the street
MAF: What are some of the biggest misconceptions you think people have about former street cats, FIV cats, and cats who have survived trauma?
J: I think people think former street cats are dirty or less than “designer” cats or cats from breeders. But the truth is, rescued cats usually are the most grateful to be in a home and loved. I think people worry that FIV is transmittable to other cats more easily than it really is, or to humans, which it is not. And I think people think cats who have survived trauma may have some behavioral issues, which could not be further from the truth for Mario.
MAF: What are some of the challenges — if any — you and Mario have faced as a result of the injuries he suffered while living on the streets and him being FIV positive?
J: I think it has made him be overlooked for far too long. That and the fact that he is a tuxedo cat. He really is the perfect, most loving, social, incredible cat.
MAF: What do you wish more people knew about special cats, particularly former street cats, FIV cats, and cats who have survived trauma?
J: I wish people knew that they are really some of the most amazing and loving cats you could meet. Mario is pretty much like a calm dog!
MAF: What are some of Mario’s favorite activities?
J: He loves eating and cuddling. Especially on the couch. He also loves running through the cat tunnel and gets his zoomies out that way.
MAF: Can you tell me the story behind his name?
J: The woman who found him named him after her nephew.
MAF: What does he mean to you?
J: He is so special to me. I adore him and if I was in a place to keep one of my fosters as my own, I would keep him.
To learn more about this handsome cat, you can follow For Animals Inc. on Instagram.
If you’re interested in adopting Mario, you can complete an adoption application.
