Belgian prime minister adopts special-needs cat
Prime minister Bart De Wever has welcomed a new resident to his office in Brussels: a rescue cat with a genetic disorder and the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
Named Maximus Textoris Pulcher, the Scottish Fold arrived several weeks ago. "He certainly made his presence felt during the summer negotiations," De Wever said on Instagram. "His well-timed howls captured the mood perfectly during the late-night sessions."
Scottish Fold cats are no longer bred in Belgium due to a painful genetic condition called osteochondrodysplasia. This condition affects cartilage, resulting in joint deformities, chronic pain and mobility issues. As there is no cure, the only option is to ban the breeding of affected cats.
"Maximus is a shelter cat and like all cats he deserves a loving home"
Maximus also carries FIV. While infected cats must be isolated from others to prevent transmission, they can live comfortably for many years with proper care.
"Maximus is a shelter cat, and like all cats he deserves a loving home. He will receive all the care he needs here and will be very well looked after," said De Wever.
© PHOTO INSTAGRAM
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