Buddy the Cat Finds a Loving Home After Battling FIV

A Houston couple fosters and adopts a feline with feline immunodeficiency virus, proving that cats with FIV can live long, healthy lives.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 12:00pm

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When Ann and Mike Butchello decided to start fostering cats between their travels, they didn't expect to adopt one. But that's exactly what happened when Buddy, a 5-year-old cat with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), came into their lives. The couple, who had previously fostered another FIV-positive cat, welcomed Buddy into their home and quickly fell in love with his friendly and easygoing personality. After just three weeks, they officially adopted him, and Buddy has been thriving ever since, debunking myths about cats with FIV.

Why it matters

This story highlights the importance of no-kill animal shelters and the need for more people to foster and adopt pets, especially those with special medical needs like FIV. By sharing Buddy's journey, it aims to educate the public about FIV and how cats with the virus can live long, healthy lives with proper care and a loving home.

The details

Buddy was one of the many pets taken in by Best Friends in Houston after a Petco Love adoption event in 2025 where nearly 1,000 animals found new homes. As a cat with FIV, Buddy was in need of a foster family that could provide him with the extra care and monitoring he required. The Butchellos, who had previously fostered an FIV-positive cat, were the perfect match. Within the first week of having Buddy in their home, the couple knew they couldn't part with him and officially adopted the affectionate feline.

  • Buddy was taken in by Best Friends in Houston after the 2025 Petco Love adoption event.
  • The Butchellos had previously fostered an FIV-positive cat before taking in Buddy.
  • The Butchellos adopted Buddy within three weeks of him coming into their home.

The players

Buddy

A 5-year-old cat with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) who was taken in by Best Friends in Houston after a Petco Love adoption event.

Ann and Mike Butchello

A Houston couple who decided to start fostering cats between their travels and ended up adopting Buddy, the FIV-positive cat they had taken in.

Valentina Costa

A Best Friends staff member in Houston who helped place Buddy with the Butchello family, knowing they had experience caring for an FIV-positive cat.

Best Friends

An animal welfare organization that took in Buddy and other pets from the 2025 Petco Love adoption event in Houston.

Petco Love

An organization that hosts an annual pet adoption weekend event in Houston, which Best Friends co-sponsors.

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What they’re saying

“As soon as we saw him at Best Friends, he greeted us with purrs and immediately wanted us to pet him.”

— Ann Butchello

“He's this friendly, easygoing guy who walked into our house, looked around, and plopped down as if he'd lived here his whole life. He was auditioning for our hearts, and he nailed it.”

— Ann Butchello

“With care and love, these cats can live like any other cat.”

— Mike Butchello

What’s next

The Butchellos are planning to take Buddy with them on a month-long adventure this summer, proving that cats with FIV can be just as adventurous and well-traveled as any other pet.

The takeaway

This story showcases the importance of fostering and adopting pets, especially those with special medical needs like FIV. By opening their home to Buddy, the Butchellos not only saved a life but also debunked myths about cats with FIV, inspiring others to consider welcoming these loving felines into their families.