Rare tortoiseshell kitten abandoned

Kawaii is a male tortoiseshell, a genetic quirk that occurs in one in 3,000 cats.

He was dumped at a Cats Protection shop in Gillingham along with his black-and-white brothers, Amai and Farore.

Tortoiseshell cats are almost always female - but staff at the charity's National Cat Adoption Centre in Sussex were shocked to discover that Kawaii was a boy.

All three brothers will soon be looking for homes - and no doubt Kawaii's new owners will want to protect the pint-sized puss with a comprehensive pet insurance policy.

Anyone who wants to adopt Kawaii, Amai or Farore can contact Cats Protection's National Cat Adoption Centre on 01825 741 330.

Adoption centre manager Danielle Draper said: "Kawaii is extremely rare as there is only a one in 3,000 chance of a tortoiseshell cat being male.

"It doesn't affect him or his health in any way because male tortoiseshell cats are the same as any other domestic cat but it certainly is a very unusual find."

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