Rare male calico kitten at Friends of Companion Animals shelter
Friends of Companion Animals has a rare kitten.
Barney is a male calico.
“Humane Ohio in Toledo confirmed today that we do have a male calico, which is 0.1% of calico cats, extremely rare,” Penny Bly, director of the Monroe all-cat rescue center, said.
“Although he might look like an orange tabby to the casual observer, his distinct black marks on his belly, hips and back make him unique,” the shelter said.
The odds of a male calico are 1 in 3,000.
“We love all the felines who make their way to us. There are those rare few who are rarer than others, and he’s certainly the most unique one we’ve seen in our 11-year history,” Bly said. “His foster mom has a done a great job of taking care of him, his mom and his four other siblings.”
Barney has temporarily returned to his foster mother's house, as he recovers from neuter surgery.
“Although male calicos are almost always sterile, he still requires being neutered,” the center said.
Mother's Day plant sale
Friends of Companion Animals will hold its annual Mother’s Day weekend plant sale from noon to 5 today, Friday and Saturday at the shelter, 2532 N. Dixie Highway.
“It’s one of our biggest yearly fundraisers that keep the shelter going while also allowing us to grow,” Penny Bly, rescue director, said. “One of our biggest plans is a low-cost feral spay/neuter clinic. Not only is it about stopping reproduction, but neutering also stops urination, aggression and reduces the rate of cancer so they live longer and happier lives.”
The shelter recently held a three-week rummage sale that raised more than $7,000 toward its goal of $20,000, which it hopes to have by year-end.
“We can’t do it without community support, and that’s where donations or shopping for plants this weekend at FOCA helps,” Bly said. “It puts food in bellies, keeps the lights on and hopefully, by years-end, provide a low-cost clinic for area residents.”
The shelter currently has more than 100 cats and kittens to visit and adopt.
Regular hours are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.
www.friendsofcompanionanimals.org
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Rare male calico kitten at Friends of Companion Animals shelter
