When Best Friends Felines, an Australian cat rescue organization, took in a pair of orphaned kittens, they had no idea one of them would turn out to be a genetic rarity.
The kittens—a tortoiseshell and a black-and-white tuxedo—were the sole survivors of their litter, found in desperate need of care. A local vet clinic provided critical support, with one nurse ensuring they were fed, kept warm, and stabilized. Once healthy enough, the duo was placed with a foster volunteer from Best Friends Felines.
Thriving Against the Odds
Dubbed Minty (the tortie) and Moo (the tuxedo), the kittens quickly gained strength. Despite being small for their estimated 2.5 weeks of age, they devoured bottle feeds, grew more energetic, and began hitting developmental milestones.
“Minty’s the troublemaker, always instigating play, while Moo prefers rolling around, luring her into wrestles,” the rescue shared. As their ears fully opened, they recognized their caregiver’s voice, perking up at the sound.
A Shocking Discovery
Like most tortoiseshell cats—99.9% of whom are female—Minty was assumed to be a girl. But during a routine vet visit, the team received a stunning revelation: Minty was male.
“For the first time in our 10-year history, we’ve got a rare male tortie,” the rescue announced. Only about 1 in 3,000 tortoiseshell cats are male, nearly all sterile due to genetic quirks. The vet’s phone call left the team momentarily speechless: “We paused and said, ‘Say what now?’”
A Happy, Healthy Rarity
Despite the surprise, Minty remains as playful and affectionate as ever. He’s a comforting presence, often curled up near his humans or burrowing into blankets. Meanwhile, Moo charms with her fluffy, easygoing demeanor.
The rescue joked, “This teaches us to always check—never assume!” As the pair continues to thrive, Minty’s uniqueness serves as a reminder of nature’s unpredictability—and the extraordinary stories hidden in even the smallest survivors.
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