The approach developed here is general and can easily extend to a wide variety of cat populations, but also to other host-parasite systems. It facilitates selection of the best model to describe data, which can be calibrated by determining confidence regions for the model parameters. The model can be used, for example, to test virtual management plans and to look at the expected results in the entire confidence region. This should assist in predicting the success one might expect with different management strategies. In the case of FIV, this study could help to rationalize the use of potential future vaccines or castration campaigns to limit the spread of the virus between males.