The spots on tortoiseshell cats can suggest caricatures of human faces or imaginary alien creatures. (Mogwai was so called because her face resembled the cute furry phase of the creatures in Gremlins, which were called Mogwai.) This is probably where the story that these cats are "mean" came from. They may stir up old memories of evil characters in cartoons or movies we watched long ago.
What the genes that produce those mottled black, orange, white, brown, and gray coats actually indicate is that the cats are not normal males (very rarely they are sterile males; the vast majority are females). Normal males have only one X-chromosome that produces one coat color, with or without white spots or Siamese-type shading. Three-colored coats indicate two X-chromosomes. If there is also a Y the cat will be a sterile male.
The claim that three-colored cats attract money probably comes from a time when people thought a three-colored male cat was rare enough to be valuable. However, an adorable three-colored "store cat" has been shown to attract visitors to a small independent store!
Three-colored cats do seem to know they're special. If they're mishandled, the way Samantha seemed to have been--encouraged by children to play roughly like puppies, then hit or punished if they play too roughly, so they become confused--their behavior will show this. If they're well treated, my experience has been that a few are jealous or dominant, but not mean. Most are gracious Queen Cats.
So, here is our second Petfinder post. Click on the links to visit the web site of the shelter where, at the time of posting, the animals photographed were looking for homes. Verifying that all animals were legitimately placed in shelters, as distinct from being petnapped for resale as "fundraisers," is your responsibility...but that is why this web site favors general color types rather than fancy breeds. Fancy breed pets are quite often placed in shelters by people who become unable to keep them, occasionally even with pedigree papers, but there are also confirmed cases of petnapping. If you click around on Petfinder you will, however, see fancy breeds of cats, dogs, and sometimes other animals.
1. Zipcode 10101, New York
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| Ms Tortie is described as young and large. She was placed for adoption when two families' unaltered cats produced a local population explosion. She still has one sibling, Ginger, also adoptable but described as "very shy." To meet her, click or paste into your browser: https://www.petfinder.com/cat/ms-tortie-37545644/ny/valhalla/forgotten-felines-inc-ny35/ |
2. Zipcode 20202, Washington
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| See what I mean about the sinister facial "expressions"? Once you get used to the illusion those eyebrow markings produce, the female alley kitten is said to be as lovable as her brother is. They are in Alexandria. It is unfortunately impossible to let cats go outside in Alexandria. To meet this pair, use https://www.petfinder.com/cat/pumpkin-jr-and-stormy-49012884/va/alexandria/rescue-feline-voices-va819/ . |
3. Zipcode 30303, Atlanta
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| The black kitten, Acorn, is male and described as the one of his family who's taken the job of meeting new people. The Tortie, Clover, is female and described as smaller and more reserved. The shelter insists you adopt both of them (they're already neutered, so tomcat odor should not be a problem) because kittens need other kittens to play with, and even if they're not social cats a brother and sister usually grow up compatible. One possible problem for some readers: it's a HSUS shelter. https://www.petfinder.com/cat/clover-and-acorn-49181652/ga/fayetteville/fayette-humane-society-ga83/ |
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| Most torties are mostly black, but here's the proof that they can be mostly orange shading to brown. Here's Mustard, pleading for somebody to rescue her from being displayed in that cramped little cage with those clashing colors on that shopping mall! She's said to be friendly even with dogs and children, just not vets. Her worst veterinary experience ever is probably over, though. https://www.petfinder.com/cat/mustard-49099285/tn/knoxville/feral-feline-friends-tn313/ |
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