Litter Of Rare Hybrid 'Hemingway' Kittens Up For Adoption In Hawthorne
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — It can be hard to stand out in a crowded animal shelter, but a litter of six unusually cute kittens have a "paw" up on the competition.
The kittens, housed at the SPCA LA shelter in Hawthorne, are unique for their combination of two rare feline traits.
For one, they're "polydactyl" cats -- meaning they have at least one extra digit on their paws. (They're also called "Hemingway" cats due to author Ernest Hemingway's fascination with extra digits).
But these kittens also have the unusual ears of the American Curl cat. Their ears curl back, giving them a distinct profile. (The American Curl breed is believed to have originated in the LA area in the 1980s).
"In our memory we have never seen both traits on a cat," said Ana Bustilloz of the SPCA LA shelter.
The cats are now looking for their forever home, and Bustilloz said they're already socialized due to growing up in foster care.
"They've been in foster care, so they're very socialized and sweet and play well together," she said.
Despite their coveted breed, these cats can be adopted for the standard adoption fee.
Their mom, affectionately known as Mrs, Hemingway is up for adoption too. She has the extra digits on her paws, but no curl in her ears.
For more information on how to adopt the kittens, go to https://spcala.com.