26-toe tabby is shelter's unlikely savior
Source: Agencies |
December 10, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
IN a reversal of fortunes, a once-unwanted cat has come to the rescue of an animal shelter in need of a new home.
However, this orange-and-white tabby named Daniel is no typical cat. He has a near-record 26 toes, a phenomenon that is helping the nonprofit Milwaukee Animal Rescue Center in Wisconsin, United States, raise money to relocate to a new building.
Normal cats have 18 toes, but Daniel has two extra on each foot due to a genetic mutation called polydactylism.
Officials at the center found out their rent at a Milwaukee-area mall was being doubled on January 1. So, the shelter is buying a new building and is seeking small donations of US$26 - or US$1 per toe.
They've collected enough so far to secure the financing with about US$80,000 raised since October 24, but they hope to raise US$120,000 by December 23 so they can become even more financially stable. About US$50,000 of the money raised has come from US$26 donations.
"I've always been a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and this is definitely the case," said Amy Rowell, owner of the center.
She found Daniel in October at animal control when she went to pick up another cat. As she bent down to that cat's cage, Daniel stuck his paw out and poked her head. "He was very clearly saying, 'I need to be rescued, I'd like to be your friend'," she said.
The shelter takes in animals that might otherwise be euthanized.
Daniel was originally going to be adopted out, but Rowell has decided to keep him as a shelter mascot.
Daniel's 26 toes - two shy of the Guinness World Records number - don't seem to affect his cat activities.
However, this orange-and-white tabby named Daniel is no typical cat. He has a near-record 26 toes, a phenomenon that is helping the nonprofit Milwaukee Animal Rescue Center in Wisconsin, United States, raise money to relocate to a new building.
Normal cats have 18 toes, but Daniel has two extra on each foot due to a genetic mutation called polydactylism.
Officials at the center found out their rent at a Milwaukee-area mall was being doubled on January 1. So, the shelter is buying a new building and is seeking small donations of US$26 - or US$1 per toe.
They've collected enough so far to secure the financing with about US$80,000 raised since October 24, but they hope to raise US$120,000 by December 23 so they can become even more financially stable. About US$50,000 of the money raised has come from US$26 donations.
"I've always been a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and this is definitely the case," said Amy Rowell, owner of the center.
She found Daniel in October at animal control when she went to pick up another cat. As she bent down to that cat's cage, Daniel stuck his paw out and poked her head. "He was very clearly saying, 'I need to be rescued, I'd like to be your friend'," she said.
The shelter takes in animals that might otherwise be euthanized.
Daniel was originally going to be adopted out, but Rowell has decided to keep him as a shelter mascot.
Daniel's 26 toes - two shy of the Guinness World Records number - don't seem to affect his cat activities.
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