Montana Cat Gives Birth To Unusual Kitten With A Mysterious Curly Coat And Changes Cat History

A few years ago, a stray cat was discovered living in a sewer in Bozeman, Montana, and brought to a local shelter. The poor kitty, named Jenny, was in rough shape.

She was thin, weak, and her fur was badly matted. You could see how malnourished she was just by looking at her frail body.

As if that wasn’t enough, the vet found out Jenny was pregnant. The shelter staff immediately worried for her. How could a cat so fragile survive pregnancy?

Everyone held their breath, unsure if she would make it. But Jenny was tougher than anyone expected.

Over the next several weeks, she slowly regained her strength. She started eating regularly, gained some much-needed weight, and her coat began to shine again.

The little stray transformed into a lively, spirited cat, full of energy and determination. The shelter staff were amazed at her resilience and couldn’t help but cheer her on.

When the time came, Jenny gave birth to an adorable litter. All five of her kittens were healthy, but one immediately stood out.

Unlike her siblings, who had soft, straight fur just like their mother, this kitten sported a thick, curly coat. It looked as if someone had run a tiny curling iron over her fur.

The shelter staff were puzzled. Could it be a genetic mutation or even a health issue? Was the kitten okay? Could her unusual fur cause problems later on?

After a thorough vet check, they were relieved to learn she was perfectly healthy. Her curly coat didn’t affect her at all, and she was otherwise just as strong as her siblings.

Still, the kitten’s appearance was unique enough that the shelter wanted to learn more. They reached out to Jeri Newman, a local Persian cat breeder and genetics enthusiast.

The moment Jeri saw the little curly kitten, she fell in love. She named her Miss DePesto of NoFace and immediately started studying her.

Jeri was fascinated by feline genetics and wanted to know if the curly coat was a dominant trait that could be passed on to future kittens.

Months later, Miss DePesto had her own litter of six kittens. To everyone’s excitement, three of them had curly coats just like hers, while the other three had straight fur, like their dad.

Jeri was thrilled. The results matched what she had hoped for and showed that the curly coat was indeed a simple dominant gene.

This discovery opened the door for Jeri to experiment further. She carefully crossbred Miss DePesto and her offspring with other breeds, including Persians, Exotics, and British Shorthairs.

Over time, her dedication and breeding efforts led to the creation of a completely new and unique breed: the Selkirk Rex.

The Selkirk Rex is often nicknamed the “sheep cat” because of its soft, curly fur that resembles a tiny sheep’s coat.

But it’s not just about the fur. These cats are known for their gentle, calm personalities. They are friendly, affectionate, and get along well with people and other animals.

They are perfect for anyone looking for a cuddly, playful companion that is easygoing and sweet-natured.

Thanks to Jenny’s resilience and Miss DePesto’s uniqueness, cat lovers around the world now have a one-of-a-kind breed to adore.

From a stray living in a sewer to inspiring a whole new breed of cats, this story shows just how incredible cats can be, and how a little bit of care, love, and curiosity can change the world for both humans and animals.

Honestly, just looking at a Selkirk Rex makes you smile. They’re fluffy, playful, and full of personality.

Isn’t it amazing how one special kitten changed the course of feline history?