Bano is a fabulous mackerel tabby with golden eyes. We are unsure of his age. He came to CAPS from Fallon Animal Shelter. Bano is friendly, sweet, and loves people.
Provided to the LVN
Dear reader, I have discovered that when it comes to cats, anything is paw-sible. Amazingly, a new cat coat color has been identified in Finnish cats and it is taking the world by storm. It’s called salmiak or “salty liquorice,” named after a Finnish snack food. Salmiak coats are a pretty black, white, and gray shade.
Did you know that cats come only in two colors; black and orange? All other colors are either a combination of the two or a faded version of one that is caused by a dilution gene. A dilution gene is a recessive gene that causes the color in the hair shaft to be uneven. For example, black becomes gray because the color in the hair shaft isn’t evenly distributed.
It is easy to recognize cats with salmiak coats because the fur on their backs is colored only at the base near the skin. The hair is black at the base but progressively gets whiter towards the tip, and the tips of their tails are usually white as well. Other than that, they have a classic tuxedo pattern of white neck, chest, belly, and paws.
Originally, in 2007 people first noticed the unusual fur patterns of three cats in central Finland.
It wasn’t until 2019 that researchers at the University of Helsinki reached out to Heidi Anderson, a feline genetic specialist. By using social media, they sought cats throughout Finland that had the coloration and they received 181 responses.
After rigorous testing, they discovered a mutation in the genes associated with white hair patterns. Of the 181 Finnish house cats tested, only three had the salmiak coat. They found that those cats had inherited the variant from both parents and another three had inherited it from a single parent. The remaining 175 didn’t have the variant at all. These findings confirm that the team identified the recessive mutation that leads to salmiak fur and now salmiak is an official cat color.
To quote Anderson, “These coats have aroused a lot of admiration for years and it’s really exciting that we now have some genetic explanation for it.”
I suspect that now we will be seeing big prices for cats with the salmiak fur colorations because the demand for a unique pet is always high.
LOOKING FOR A HOME
Kittens are now available for fostering to adopt and we have two gorgeous cats.
IN NEED OF
• Folks to foster puppies and kittens. Call 775-423-7500 for details.
• Bleach and cleaning supplies.
• Leashes, harnesses for big dogs, Big Kongs, and treats for our guests.
• Dog walkers, we need volunteers to walk our dogs and foster animals. Call 775-423-7500 for details.
• Aluminum cans. We will pick up your cans; give us a call at 775-423-7500. You can also drop them off at CAPS.
SHOUT OUT TO
The folks who adopted Leroy and Blue. All tails are wagging for you!
Jodie and Mik our new board members. Kindness never fails!
COME SEE US
CAPS is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We suggest appointments for adoptions and food pantry.
DON’T FORGET
• June Holiday: Cat world domination day is June 27.
• You can make a big difference in homeless animals’ lives by paying for part of their adoption fee. All of our animals are healthy, spay/neutered, current on vaccinations, and microchipped. We rely on you to help make our no-kill shelter a viable alternative for stranded pets.
• If you would like a newsletter, call 775-423-7500 or email caps@cccom.net.
• CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89407. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. CAPS’ email address is caps@cccomm.net. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnevada.com) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are likeable.
Kathleen Williams-Miller is a CAPS volunteer. Email jkwmil@outlook.com.