Paw thing: Forget the nine lives, meet the cat with 26 toes ...

DailyMail ^ | Decamber 9 , 2011 | Leon Watson

[algernonpj]

In a reversal of fortunes, a once-unwanted cat has come to the rescue of an animal shelter in need of a new home.

However, this orange-and-white tabby named Daniel is no typical cat.

He has a near-record 26 toes, a phenomenon that is helping the Milwaukee Animal Rescue Center in Wisconsin raise money to relocate to a new building. ...

'I've always been a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and this is definitely the case,' said Amy Rowell, owner of Milwaukee Animal Rescue Center in Greendale.

She found Daniel in October at animal control when she went to pick up another cat. As she bent down to that cat's cage, Daniel stuck his paw out and poked her head.

The shelter takes in animals that might otherwise be euthanised. ...

[algernonpj]

Daniel has two extra toes on each of his feet because of a genetic mutation called polydactylism



Milwaukee Animal Rescue Center in Wisconsin

They've collected enough so far to secure the financing with about $80,000 raised since October 24, but they hope to raise $120,000 by December 23 so they can become even more financially stable.

Around $50,000 of the money raised has come from $26 donations.

[algernonpj]

Rescued kitty help rescue center ping.

[Biggirl]

PING this one over to Slings And Arrows. :)=^..^=

[Abathar]

This is them genetically adapting to use can openers, not a good thing for us humans...

[algernonpj]

ROFL ... I had one that figured out what door knobs do. Good thing he didn’t have an opposable thumb.

[KarlInOhio]

Daniel has two extra toes on each of his feet because of a genetic mutation called polydactylism

Caused by his parents reading too many Hemingway novels.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Awww...what a pretty kitty.

You have to love FR. Here’s a kitty-rescue story in Milwaukee, WI, USA; reported in the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper; and the story gets world-wide distribution to freedom-loving peoples courtesy of Jim Robinson!

[rockinqsranch]

We had an Albino named Pi (passed away last year at 17). He learned to jump up onto the top of an evaporative cooler in the atrium, and from there he would jump at/onto the handle of the sliding door adjacent to the cooler, and ride on the door handle until the door was opened for him to walk outside, and play.

[WellyP]

Many years ago we had a BIG polydactyl guy. He could open doors.

[fishtank]

It looks like it has an extra paw attached to the dew claw.

[algernonpj]

Another view of Daniels toes.

[Lx]

I’d take this kitteh in a heartbeat.

[Abathar]

I would too, but it means even more bloodshed on bath day though...

[SamiGirl]

Hi algernonpj,

Thank you for posting this. I have a cat that looks just like this one. His name is Simon. He spends most of the night opening the bottom kitchen cabinets and pulling everything out of them. It doesn’t matter if it’s a drawer or a cabinet door. When I get up in the morning, I find all kinds of things on the floor. It’s become a game for him.

Simon also opens folding doors and has been jumping on the bathroom handle to get it to open. I’m sure he’ll succeed soon.

[brownsfan]

The vet would probably charge double to de-claw this guy!

[thackney]

kitty ping

[shotgun]

My old cat”skanky merlin” had 26 toes,7 each on the front feet and 6 each on the back. He also had the longest fangs that hung out of his mouth so I also called him vampire kitty. He died about a month ago...

[algernonpj]

Condolences. Doesn’t it just break your heart?

[Slings and Arrows]

[Slings and Arrows]

That’s what polydactylism is - the extra toes are really a tiny paw.

[Erasmus]

“Farewell to Arms”
“Hello to Toes”

[married21]

Do you have a picture of skanky merlin you could share?

[WOBBLY BOB]

That’s a huge MITT. Maybe Mittens can use him in a campaign ad.

[TheOldLady]

So sorry to hear that you lost your vampire cat, skanky merlin. It’s tough to lose a longtime companion you loved and who loved you. Leaves a hole in your life, it does, and takes a long time to recover yourself again. You have my deepest sympathy and understanding.

[pabianice]

So did my Kato Katlin, RIP.

[tutstar]

GNIP

[Nowhere Man]

My old cat”skanky merlin” had 26 toes,7 each on the front feet and 6 each on the back. He also had the longest fangs that hung out of his mouth so I also called him vampire kitty. He died about a month ago...

I'm very sorry for your loss. I lost a cat back in June, he was only 10, had cancer. We kept him going at a fair quality of life for two months though. We still have his sister and mother along with an unrated male cat that was a protege to him. BTW, I had a cat with long fangs too, Pansy, she was a tiny diluted calico, she lived to be 19 years and 8 days. She passed from lymphoma and had thyroid problems, the latter was under control. She was tough, I'd say if it wasn't for cancer, she might be with us today, she'd be 24.

[martin_fierro]

[Slings and Arrows]

Factaldactyl!

[beaversmom]

Very sorry about your kitty. So sad when pets go.

[algernonpj]

Before you like, open the tissues:

http://www.moggies.co.uk/stories/cats_eulogy.html

[algernonpj]

Should read, before you open link. I think I need a gallon of coffee this a.m.

[Judith Anne]

Took me by surprise, and I laughed out loud! Thanks.