This Ginger Cat Appreciation Day (Saturday Sept 1), the RSPCA is highlighting the orange-furred moggies looking for homes in their care.
Over the last three years, the RSPCA has had more than 1,600 ginger or ginger and white cats come into its care, of which 291 were female and 1,344 were male cats.
The majority of ginger cats are male because the gene that determines whether a cat is ginger, lies on the X chromosome. A female cat needs two copies of the ‘ginger gene’ to be ginger, whilst male cats only need one.
Figures from the RSPCA national centres would also reflect this with ginger Tom cats outnumbering the females by 4 to 1. Ginger cats tend to be one of the quickest coat colours to find their forever homes. On average it takes 20.91 days to rehome a ginger cat and 20.23 days for a ginger and white cat.
Sam Watson, RSPCA’s cat welfare expert, said: “This Ginger Cat Appreciation Day the RSPCA is urging people to consider adopting a rescue ginger instead of buying one. These cats and their striking colouring are very special and even more so is the less common female ginger cat.
“The frequency of ginger cats in the two genders is al down to genetics and chromosomes. The ‘ginger gene’ is on the X chromosome. Female cats have XX and males have XY chromosomes, like we humans do. This means that if a male cat has a ‘ginger gene’ on his X chromosome he will be ginger, but a female cat would need the same ‘ginger gene’ on each of her two X chromosomes – in order to be ginger.
“This interesting bit of science gives us an insight into why ginger cats are so special. We would urge anyone considering adopting a cat to take a look on the RSPCA’s Find a Pet website where there are lots of ginger cats waiting for their forever homes.”
Bonzo is a ginger tabby who was taken to the RSPCA as a poorly stray and was found to be FIV positive. Other than the FIV he is in good health and with some TLC he is starting to look much better. Chatty Bonzo is between five and seven years old and can be a little nervous and will need a quiet indoor-only home. He is available from RSPCA Wimbledon and District Branch who can be contacted on 07944 308169.
Larry is another ginger tabby who was taken to the RSPCA as a stray by the inspectorate. Four-year old Larry is a loving, friendly boy who has also tested positive for FIV so will need to be an indoor cat and the only cat in the home. If you can offer Larry a home, please contact Wirral and Chester Animal Centre on 01516 386318.
Taylor is a shy four-year old cay who was rescued by the inspectorate after he was found as. Stray with a nasty abscess on his neck. He likes a good chin scratch and would prefer a quieter home with owners who have the patience to get to know him. He is also available from the Wirral and Chester Animal Centre on the above number.
Ginger cats tend to be one of the quickest coat colours to find their forever homes. On average it takes 20.91 days to rehome a ginger cat and 20.23 days for a ginger and white cat.
