All we know about the abandoned newborn kitten that made news for its genetic rareness comes from a single Imgur post. A user by the name of Vodkaholy posted a handful of photos of the tiny creature with a few background details.
Nevertheless, the story went viral after a family member nursed it back to health.
No one knows how the newborn kitten ended up in a dumpster, but it’s not terribly uncommon for heartless people to abandon kittens they choose not to care for.
Of course, the humane choice would be bringing it to a shelter.
Luckily, “Vodkaholy” aunt heard the tiny mews the kitten was letting out and it appears she’s the one who rescued the baby, who was barely a week old.
In fact, the kitten’s eyes weren’t even open yet – that usually happens 7-10 days after they’re born.
A rough start to life
Not only had the kitten been immediately discarded after it was born, but it was injured and had developed a serious infection.
Just a few days old, it had a broken leg and had developed gangrene on a paw. Sadly, after the kitten’s rescuer took it to the vet, they found out that the paw couldn’t be saved.
“Poor kitty hadn’t even opened his eyes before he had to give up a paw,” said Vodkaholy.
A big surprise
No doubt it was a shock to find such a sad creature abandoned in the trash, but the vet had another big surprise for the woman.
It turns out the kitten was not only a calico but a male calico!
“The vet said it’s really rare for calicos to be male. What a special boy indeed!” read the caption accompanying the photos.
Calico color genes are located on the X chromosome and since it’s a recessive trait, a cat needs to have 2 X chromosomes to be a calico. Only females are genetically XX. Males are XY.
That means the kitten’s genetic makeup is XXY, which only happens in 1 in 3000 calico cats.
A chance at life
The post drew hundreds of comments, including people who wanted to know more details, such as the cat’s name.
“She named him Martyr. Think she thought it would be funny lol.”
He won’t be a dad to any more calico kittens though, even by accident:
“He was born sterile but vet said it’s normal for male calicos to be sterile :) Other than that he’s a normal happy kitty, healthy as a horse,” Vodkaholy said.
A forever home
It sounds like Vodkaholy’s aunt decided to keep the kitten and the user reported that he was growing up healthy and happy (even if he only has 3 paws).
At last update, the kitten had been in his new home for 3 months and adapting well.
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And he’s not the first kitten this sweet aunt has brought home, though he is a “failed foster.”
“Yeah she’s used to picking up strays and finding them home but this one she absolutely fell in love with and will keep with her.”
We’re glad to hear Martyr got his happy ending!
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