Spots, stripes and blotches: Color patterns of cat fur tracked to a key gene

Researchers discovered some of the genetics behind cat coloring, from Abyssinians and tabbies to leopards and tigers.

Your sedentary lap cat may not seem to share many similarities with its fierce relatives prowling the African savanna. But Stanford Medicine researchers have discovered a specific gene that drives much of the development of the stripes, blotches and spots that decorate all feline fur. 

"Color patterns are one of these unsolved biological mysteries; there’s no go-to model organism to study it — mice don’t have stripes or spots,” said Gregory Barsh, MD, PhD, professor emeritus of genetics. “The color patterns and variability that you see in animals like tigers, cheetahs and zebras prompted some central questions for us: What are the developmental genetic mechanisms and the cellular mechanisms that give rise to these patterns and how have they been altered during mammalian evolution to give rise to the amazing diversity of shape and form we see today?”

To read more on this story, click here: Spots, stripes and blotches: Color patterns of cat fur tracked to a key gene

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10 Common Tabby Cat Health Problems (With Prevention Tips)

If there’s one thing any tabby cat owner wants it’s for their cat to be healthy and safe.  The reality though is that almost any cat breed or coat type can still sometimes face some health concerns. With a proper understanding of what issues a cat can face, you can take some preventative measures so they can always feel their best. Below is a list of the 10 most common tabby cat health problems along with helpful prevention tips!

To read more on this story, click here: 10 Common Tabby Cat Health Problems (With Prevention Tips)

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This Video of Cats Watching Dominos Fall Is the Most Soothing Thing We've Ever Seen

 

Ah, the beginning of pandemic life, when we dabbled in bread-making, new musical instruments, and even organizing our closets. It was ... not great. (I mean, remember Tiger King?) Thankfully, this Japanese YouTube account was flexing some creative muscles, giving us the immensely satisfying Cats and Dominos.

The Cat Navi Desk video begins with an adorable brown tabby cat, Bururu, kicking-off a colorful domino chain reaction. The cascading dominos pass by a black-and-white cat, Beruru, who's transfixed from their perch in a basket. The dominos then arrive at a kind of Rube Goldberg machine, where Bururu is back to watch.

To read more on this story, click here: This Video of Cats Watching Dominos Fall Is the Most Soothing Thing We've Ever Seen

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Meet Rexie The Cat: A Handicat Here To Steal Your Heart

All cats are totally adorable. But there are some cats who are naturally photogenic and will make you fall in love with them just by looking at their photo. Rexie, a male handicat, is basically the equivalent of an emoji cat. He is always ready to express himself for the camera. And his owner, Dasha Minaeva, took notice of it. Since she started sharing him with the world, he’s stolen hearts everywhere. Rexie the cat, you are certainly the thief of hearts that you claim to be.

To read more on this story, click here: Meet Rexie The Cat: A Handicat Here To Steal Your Heart

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These Cute Cats Wear Their Hearts On Their Fur

One of the best things about cats is that they come in all different colors, and there are no limitations when it comes to coat pattern. There are cats with stripes, swirls, splotches, and even polka dots. Tabbies, calicos, tuxies, and so many other different kinds of cats have interesting coat patterns that really turn heads. You can find some crazy designs if you stare at a multicolored cat for long enough. Out of all the possible shapes you can find in a cat’s coat, we especially love it when our feline friends wear their hearts on their fur.  There’s just something about cats with heart markings that makes us go, “AWWWW!”

To read more on this story, click here: These Cute Cats Wear Their Hearts On Their Fur

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UPDATE - WHS/WARL: Stolen Kitten, Princess Jazzy Returned, Thanks to the Swift Actions of the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Police Department

WASHINGTON, D.C. –.  Three days after her disappearance from the Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League (WHS/WARL) New York Avenue Adoption Center, three-month old kitten Princess Jazzy is safely in the caring hands of WHS/WARL staff.

“We are thrilled that Princess Jazzy is back with us safely thanks to the swift actions of the Metropolitan Police Department and alert WHS/WARL staff,” said Lisa LaFontaine, WHS/WARL President & CEO.   “This case is another example of how we will do everything possible to protect the animals in our community, regardless of their size, species or age.   We are especially relieved because Princess Jazzy was under medical treatment prior to the theft and she will now continue to get the care she needs as she awaits adoption into a responsible and loving home.”

WHS/WARL staff members on duty Saturday were able to record a license plate number from a vehicle leaving the Adoption Center shortly after the kitten was reported missing.  The Metropolitan Police Department tracked down Princess Jazzy with the license plate information and returned the kitten to the New York Avenue Adoption Center.

The incident remains under investigation.

About Washington Animal Rescue League/Washington Humane Society (WARL/WHS)

The Washington Humane Society -Washington Animal Rescue League combined organization cares for more than 60,000 animals annually. The merger of the two organizations created the first end-to-end animal care organization in a major U.S. city.  The broad range of programs offered include: rescue and adoption, humane law enforcement, low-cost veterinary services, animal care & control, behavior and training, spay-neuter services, humane education, and many others.  Operating four animal-care facilities in Washington, D.C., the organization occupies a significant footprint in the District, and serves as a resource to current pet guardians and prospective adopters across the region.  Together, the organizations offer one, dynamic, industry-leading animal welfare organization in the Nation’s Capital; creating a unified vision for a model urban community for all animals – pets and wildlife alike – and the people who love them.

To read the initial story, click here: Washington, DC - $1,000 Reward for Information Leading to Arrest and Conviction of Person(s) Responsible for the Theft of a 3-Month-Old Kitten from a Local Animal Shelter (WHS/WARL)

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Washington, DC - $1,000 Reward for Information Leading to Arrest and Conviction of Person(s) Responsible for the Theft of a 3-Month-Old Kitten from a Local Animal Shelter (WHS/WARL)

Washington, DC - A three-month old female, brown tabby kitten named Princess Jazzy was stolen from the Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League (WHS/WARL) Adoption Center on New York Ave in NE Saturday afternoon. WHS/WARL is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the theft.

“It is hard to believe that someone would commit such a crime,” states Scott Giacoppo, Chief Community Welfare Officer for WHS/WARL.  “In addition to breaking the law, they have put this kitten’s health in jeopardy by circumventing our easy adoption process, and denying the kitten needed medical care.”

WHS/WARL is now appealing to the public to help get Princess Jazzy back to the Adoption Center so that she can receive all the medical procedures that go into the adoption process and to ensure that the family that takes her fully understands her needs. Anyone with information is urged to call 1- 202-576-6664.

About Washington Animal Rescue League/Washington Humane Society (WARL/WHS)

The Washington Humane Society - Washington Animal Rescue League combined organization cares for more than 60,000 animals annually. The merger of the two organizations created the first end-to-end animal care organization in a major U.S. city.  The broad range of programs offered include: rescue and adoption, humane law enforcement, low-cost veterinary services, animal care & control, behavior and training, spay-neuter services, humane education, and many others.  Operating four animal-care facilities in Washington, D.C., the organization occupies a significant footprint in the District, and serves as a resource to current pet guardians and prospective adopters across the region.  Together, the organizations offer one, dynamic, industry-leading animal welfare organization in the Nation’s Capital; creating a unified vision for a model urban community for all animals – pets and wildlife alike – and the people who love them.

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Washington, DC - Washington Humane Society: Cat Found Hanging from a Phone Line - $15,000 Reward for Information Leading to the Arrest and Conviction of Person(s) Responsible for this Horrific Act

I apologize for the nature of the photo below, but we really want to catch the perpetrator(s) of this ghastly act. Thank you to our friends at the ASPCA and HSUS for matching our $5,000 reward. We are now offering $15,000 to anyone who provides information leading to an arrest.

On December 9, 2015, the Washington Humane Society discovered an adolescent male domestic short-haired grey tabby cat dangling from a phone line across the alley of the 400 block of Newcomb Street, SE and the 400 block of Mellon Street, SE. It is believed this act was committed between the evening of December 8^th and the morning of December 9^th.

The Washington Humane Society (WHS) desperately needs the help of the community for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this horrific act of animal cruelty.

The Washington Humane Society (WHS), The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) have partnered together, offering $5,000.00 each for a reward of $15,000.00 to anybody who provides information leading to the arrest.

If you have any information about this case, please contact: Washington Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement Department: Officer Russell – ARussell@washhumane.org.  202-723-5730

Information will be kept confidential upon request.

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Meet Natasha, The Cat With 24 Toes

 Cats are known having nine lives but this tabby has shown it has more than the usual allocation of digits.

A rare condition left the ginger tabby with oversized paws and half a dozen more toes than your average feline.

The ginger tabby spent a year looking after herself on the Upper West Side in New York before she was adopted by Shirley Belwood.

Shirley couldn’t face leaving her behind when she emigrated to Wimborne, Dorset, around ten years ago.

And now a grand 19 years old, Natasha has become one of life’s survivors thanks in part to her super-sized feet which stand out from her average body.

Natasha has seven toes on both front paws – two more than normal – and five on her hind legs instead of four.

Her owner, Shirley Belwood spoke of her adopted pet:’I heard her crying for ages outside my apartment window, and I just had to find her.

‘She’s got a lot of attitude and she’s quite the character but we’re so close.

‘She doesn’t do as much these days as she has diabetes, but she’s still so frisky and cranky – a typical New Yorker.

‘The nurses at the vets say she ‘swears a lot’ at them whenever she goes. That just shows what she’s like.’

The world record for the cat with the most toes is currently held by a Canadian cat named Tiger who has an impressive 27.

Some polydactyl cats have problems with joint growth, the forming of legs and nail beds and extra thick claws fusing together.

They are sometimes referred to as ‘Hemingway cats’ because author Ernest Hemingway became a famous fan of them after being given a six-toed cat by a ship’s captain.

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A Stray Cat Taken To An Animal Shelter, Escapes And Returns To The Family Who Found Him…And Get's His Forever Home

Mr. Fancy, a stray tabby, was taken to animal shelter after a kind family cared for him for a month. However, he was determined to get back to them. Sometimes animals can just sense a good person. That was the case with Mr. Fancy. The long-haired tabby showed up in the yard of the Bosche family in Lucedale, Miss. early last year.

Anne Bosche said the family dog originally spotted him. She put out some food for him, which he accepted even though he seemed skittish. After the initial meeting, Mr. Fancy came back to the house each night for a month. He was wary at first but was waiting on the porch each day after about a week.

Eventually, the family made the decision to take him to a local animal shelter.

Mrs.  Bosche said she felt uncertain about taking the cat to the shelter. She said "I cried the five miles back to my house." Apparently she had good reason to. According to the shelter, he escaped 20 minutes after he arrived.

It took a month of navigating busy streets, but Mr. Fancy finally made it back to the family that had been so kind to him.

One morning Mrs. Bosche heard her husband talking to someone in the kitchen.

Confused, she walked in to see who it was. To her surprise it was Mr. Fancy. He ran up to her, meowing the whole way, when she entered the room. Mrs. Bosche refused to let him go again, and now Mr. Fancy has a permanent home.

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Did You Know that You Can Find the Perfect Cat at the Shelter?

There are advantages to adopting from a shelter, and saving money is one of them. Adult pets are usually spayed or neutered before they’re made available for adoption, and that’s a savings right there. The cats you see at the shelter have also usually been vet-checked, vaccinated and, in some shelters, evaluated for temperament before you meet them. In many shelters you’ll find staff members and volunteers who are familiar with each cat’s personality and can tell you which are lap-sitters, which are playful, which like kids and dogs, and which would prefer adults.

Another plus to the shelter is the variety of cats you can find: Longhaired, shorthaired, tabby, calico and sometimes even pedigreed cats, especially popular breeds such as Siamese and Persian. Yes, that’s right: If you’ve always dreamed of having a chatty Siamese, you may be able to find one in a shelter, especially if you broaden your search by using Petfinder.

Want more reasons to adopt from a shelter? Many shelter cats are already familiar with home life, because that's where they came from, often ending up in a shelter through no fault of their own, especially in this economy. They may be cool around kids or dogs, and they probably know the litter box routine. I’m no fan of declawing, but if you believe you must have a cat who is declawed, there’s a good chance you can find one at a shelter. I’d rather see you adopt a cat who has already been declawed if that's what you want, and they're out there!

Before you go to the shelter, get a picture in your head of what you want in a cat. Lap-sitter or lively? Outgoing or introverted? Chatty or quiet? Some shelters start with adoption counseling first, then introduce you to the cats who are the best matches. Other shelters give you a chance to look the cats over and visit with them first, then help you choose the one cat who’s right for you.

Choosing on Your Own
At a shelter that doesn’t offer adoption counseling? Look beyond the cute and think of the home you’re providing. If yours is a three-ring circus with boisterous children and lots of other animals, you’ll want to consider those bold, friendly cats who seem to be handling the shelter environment well. If you have a quiet home, look to the shy cats who may just need time to relax and look around in a new home. That cat can also be a good choice if you enjoy the feline presence but would prefer not to have one who’s “in your face” all the time.

Most important, look past appearance and "see" with your heart what's really there. Behind the plain-vanilla exterior of a cat who has been overlooked by many, you may discover a sweet pet with the perfect personality. Those cats are the keepers, no matter what they look like.

Which leads me to the best reason of all for adopting a cat from a shelter: that warm, fuzzy, tingly glow you get from giving a home to a cat in need and hearing him purr as he settles into his new digs,  after you get your veterinarian to check him over, of course!

                                                                                                    Persian

                                                                                                       Calico

                                                                                            Siamese

                                                                                              Tabby

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