One in Three Thousand Kitten Being Adopted from the Cleveland APL!

CLEVELAND, OH (June 3, 2009) – The Cleveland Animal Protective League has a rare kitten in its custody – a male calico! 

Male calicos are a genetic anomaly.  The calico coloring is determined by a specific genetic code on the X chromosome.  Females have two X chromosomes (XX) making the coloration possible.  For calico coloring to be present in a male, the cat must inherit an extra X chromosome (XXY) rather than having the usual male XY configuration.  The odds of a male calico being born are one in three thousand.

Gabe, the Cleveland APL’s special little calico, has already found a wonderful home and will be adopted on June 3rd, but he’s a GREAT reminder that hundreds of very, very special kittens and cats are waiting at the Cleveland APL and other area shelters.  While these other special felines may not be one in three thousand, each and every one of them is one of a kind.

Please visit your local humane society or rescue groups and adopt a special cat today!