An animal shelter recently discovered that one of their rescue kittens has an extremely rare trait – and now this magnificent “unicorn” kitten is taking the world by storm.
According to the Fort Collins Coloradoan, a litter of kittens was born in a shed earlier this year and later ended up in the care of NoCo Kitties, a foster rescue in Loveland, Colorado.
The kittens’ foster mother, Alli Magish, quickly noticed something unusual about one of the kittens: he was a male calico cat.
Calico cats – cats with tri-colored fur – are almost always female, and only one in 3,000 births is male.
Male calicos are sometimes called “unicorns” because of their rarity, which is why the animal rescue named their unique cat “Unicorn.”
“We just thought how incredibly unusual and what fun it is,” rescue founder Davida Dupont told The Coloradoan.
Due to the Unicorn’s rarity, the rescue says they will likely receive an above-average adoption fee from interested owners. However, they say they want the kitten to go to the best home, not just the one that will pay the most for him.
According to a Facebook post, NoCo Kitties received “overwhelming requests” about the kitten and would not be taking any more adoption applications.
They are now using the publicity surrounding Unicorn to encourage people to adopt their other cats and to raise funds for a low-cost Trap Neuter Release spay and neuter clinic in the basement of their facility.
It’s always very special to see a male calico cat. Last year, the Las Vegas-based Animal Foundation took in a male calico named “Comet,” who was quickly adopted.
“Those who work in veterinary medicine work for years, even decades, without ever seeing anyone in person,” the shelter wrote at the time. “Comet is definitely one of the most unique cats we have ever seen at The Animal Foundation.”
What a beautiful, unique kitten! We hope that this sweet “Unicorn” goes to a loving home soon!