Twisty Cats

[Mikey]

While channel surfing a few days ago I came across a program or news article about a lady who raises cats with front leg deformities.  She calls the cats Twisty Cats.  Their front legs are so deformed that they can't be used and the cats kind of hop along like a kangaroo.  One of her cats was born with this deformity and she apparently liked it so she has now interbred these cats intentionally producing these deformed cats.  She obviously loved her cats and admitted they could not defend themselves outdoors and said they were strictly indoor cats.  None the less, I found it very disturbing that she would intentionally breed cats to achieve this deformity. 

I Googled twisty cats and I think this is her website:  http://www.karmafarms.com/twisty.htm

[karen J]

Wow, they really do resemble kangaroos. It's a little weird, but I don't think it's all that disturbing. I had a cat with an extra foot once, and it didn't seem to bother her at all. She used to grasp my hand for a "shake". That's probably what happened with this lady- she had a cat with a deformity that turned out to work for her.

[Joyce]

I don't like it at all. 

[Kittyzee]

Very interesting article.  I'm glad to know that it's not a new breed although I think they are adorable.  Like most pets and humans born with deformities they have learned to live and overcome most of them.  I'm glad they watched them to see they weren't suffering because of the short front legs and then let them live their lives indoors.   

[Pa Nancy]

I'm with Joyce. That just looks so wrong. 

[marla]

I remember seeing a TV show with these cats a few years ago and was appalled that she would intentionaly breed for a deformity like that.  There are lots of animals that are bred for deformities but I really don't see why in this case or most......but then the world is full of all sorts of people that will purchase them also

[Indiana Karen]

I agree, that's just wrong. 

[bunny56lbc]

I don't like it either...

bonnie

[Esther]

I didn't want to see them so didn't look. I suppose eventually it'll make the news and I'll see them. But I guess I don't like the idea either.

[ponderer]

 CREEPY!{-)

[Roark]

In a case like that, I think you give the first generation as much love and support and affection as possible... right after you cut-off the "breeding parts" so it won't ever happen again.   

I'm a huge believer in the axiom "Civilization short-circuits evolution".  If these animals were born in the wild, they'd be culled by natural forces before you finished this sentence.  But all you need to add is one well-meaning / badly-informed "cat lady", and now you've got an entire "breed" of these MISTAKES.

So.  Love 'em while they're here... take lots of video and pictures... and when they're gone... breathe a sigh of relief.  No need to perpetuate the madness.

Roark

[Sunbeam56]

Its not advancing anything.
When humans went from four legs to two - we were also made smarter.
But these cats don't seem an improvement.

I think its bad.

[cindy]

Weird, True and Freaky" had a number of mistakes in their broadcast. Karma Farms DOES NOT breed Twisties and does not sell Twisties. These very rare cats are occasionally born in some lines of polydactyl cats and perhaps other non-poly cats as well. Karma Farms does breed and sell POLYDACTYL CATS, and ours are some of the best and smartest polys in the world.

I love the 6 toed kitties

[Joyce]

Like Ernie...

 

[Desertponder]

That's just twisted.

No pun intended.

its one thing to care for an animal with a deformity but its quite another to breed to create the deformity on purpose. Wrong in my opinion.

[LeeAnne151]

Huge controversy over this woman on the eBay Animal message board a few months ago. There were several who had similarly deformed cats on the board who said they had lifelong medical problems and chronic suffered pain. Some said their vets said they were twisted internally and they died early. Many of them emailed her in protest.

 :'( I think she is sick and twisted. Deliberately breeding deformed cats is wrong wrong wrong. Disgusting. Horrible. 

Polydactal cats are a mutation that crops up and doesn't usually cause any pain or internal problems.

I looked at that website and I think the woman the Animal Board was talking about is a different person, she was in California. I'd go back and look but the format is so screwed up I would not be able to find the thread.

[Joyce]

I agree LeeAnne...in fact Ernie's extra toes give him a bigger paw to catch prey with. 
He also can oppose his 2 thumbs, more so on one paw than the other, seems to be right-pawed,
so he can pick up things that a normal cat wouldn't be able to pick up.

I agree about the twisted cats...nothing but sick...and WRONG.
Some people just don't have a conscience.

[cindy]

Like Ernie...

 

I was thinking of Ernie!