The foremost characteristic distinguishing the Scottish Fold cat is its small ears which fold forward and downward, giving it an impish look. Scottish Fold kittens are not born with folded ears. The ears of the kittens that carry the gene start folding usually about the 21st day, starting with the outer edge of the ear near the base.

Sweet-tempered and attentive, devoted, but not demanding, the "Fold" makes a perfect pet. As the fold is outcrossed with both American and British Shorthair cats, think of it as as having a "British sense of decorum along with an American sense of self-confidence," according to The International Scottish Fold Association.

This delightfully-posed Fold is "Scotty."
_{Photo Credit: © Ev Russell, Kinross Cattery}

In 2006, Sega Toys release the Yume Neko Smile, a sweet-faced white robot cat with tons of interactive charm for both grown-ups, kids, and even for real cats.

I'm sure the model has gone through several iterations since then, but the robo-cat of all robo-cats, "Yume-Neko Venus, aka Dream Cat Venus" is coming out on July 30th, but only in Japan. The toy will retail for around $108 USD. "Venus" is long-haired with big round eyes and is white with a sort of Van pattern in tan. She purrs, meows, follows motion with her eyes, and generally acts like a real cat. Although the price may seem steep, the Dream Cat Venus might be a purrfect gift for a child who is allergic to cats. For me, I'll settle for the real thing. (You can draw your claws back now, Jennifur.)

Sometime last Monday night, Edward Igor McIrvin, 44, broke into the Rockingham County Animal Shelter in North Carolina and stole 37 cats. McIrvin, who was a shelter volunteer, confessed to the burglary and theft, because the cats were all scheduled for euthanasia, and he couldn't stand to see that happen.

McIrvin literally "put his money where his mouth is," by returning the cats, then immediately forking over $5,800 to the Reidsville Veterinary Hospital to pay for adoption fees and spaying/neutering the cats, which included at least one cute kitten.

The man was to be charged with felony breaking and entering and felony larceny, according to FOX8 News. Since he has legally adopted the cats, it looks like a moot point to me. Personally, I think he deserves an award - perhaps a "Feline Robin Hood of the Year?"

The kitten is available for adoption, and it seems likely that the other cats will also be adopted. If not, the burning question is "can Edward McIrvin personally care for 37 cats?"

Ringo came to Tabby's Place from a veterinarian, who took him in when his owner could not afford to pay for his diabetes care. He suffered from severe diabetic neuropathy, and could no longer jump to high places, although otherwise he got around fairly well. He was later diagnosed with IBD and heart disease. Ringo was a stunning cat, a large gray, black, and brown longhair tabby, with lustrous green eyes and obvious Maine Coon lineage.

From the very first, Ringo was a "people pleaser," and he soon became one of the most popular cats in the special needs section of Tabby's Place. Ringo loved people, and would invite petting with a Read more...

Rockie came to my yard one very cold winter in Miami. It was probably in the low 30's. Very cold for Miami, FL. This was in 2005. She was stuck up on a very tall tree and there was no way I could bring her down even by offering tuna because she was being chased by another cat whose territory she was invading. She was up in that tree for two very cold nights and days. I noticed that she was pregnant, and I was in a panic because of it.

I was able to bring them all in the house after Hurricane Wilma where they have been since then. Rockie still takes care of her two babies, Rex and Sunny, as if they were just born. She grooms and watches over them. She tucks herself under my arm until I fall asleep at night and then she leaves me and cuddles up with her two "babies." This is her picture taking a nap on my living room floor. I named her Rockie because she reminded me of a rock with all the beautiful colors.
© Ada Schultz

Rockie sure had a hard life what with being pregnant, defending herself from aggressive cats, then protect her newborns from a hurricane to boot. Ada was an angel to rescue her and give Rockie and her babies a loving indoor home.

You may submit cat photos by following the Photo Submission Guidelines. Sorry, but I will be unable to publish your photos without all the requested information.

Even the most curmudgeonly of curmudgeons melts at the sight of a sweet kitten. There are plenty of kittens photo to view in this gallery: sweet kittens, cute kittens, funny kittens, sleeping kittens. So feast your eyes on this gallery for your kitten fix today. Texas, pictured here, is included in Kittens! Galore, the companion gallery to this one. If you still haven't had your fill of kitten photos, see also the Two Kittens Picture Gallery, visual proof that Two Kittens are Better Than One.

How Well do you know your cats?

If you're like many cat lovers, you want to know everything there is to learn about cats. Here's a chance to test your knowledge about cat breeds and colors. There are an even dozen questions in this javascript quiz. If you don't know the difference between cat breeds and color patterns, I'd strongly suggest that you bone up on that subject before taking the quiz. Here's a little hint: Jenny, shown here lays no claim to a breed. She is an adorable DSH (domestic shorthair) cat of the calico pattern. I love her as much as if she was a "purebred" cat with yard-long pedigree.
_{Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy}

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Cat Breeds & Color Patterns
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One of the more common discussions in the Cats Forum as well as my email box is "how do I keep my cats off the kitchen counter?" Indeed, some of the forum members are of the conviction that it's okay to let their cats counter-surf. However, I'm with the side that views this practice as unwise, because of potential hazards to the cats, such as jumping on a hot stove or ingesting toxic cleaning products' residue that might remain in a sink or on the counter.

• Cats Love Heights
• Kitchen Counters Smell Good!
• They Like to Drink Running Water
• They Tend to Go Where You Don't Want Them

Also See Cat Behavior 101

I'm a bit late this week because of the rush of Cutest Cats entries. Callie is our first Cat Picture of the Week for July, and the second will appear in the usual time slot on Saturday.

Callie's Story:

Callie was one of those kittens that was abandoned (dumped). She showed up at Amy's door & she took her in, even getting her checked by a vet and getting her shots. Then Amy named her Shelly. Well I had gone to Amy's to visit her mother, my friend Betty, who was staying with her during her fight with cancer. However, Amy's husband wanted her to get rid of Shelly (Callie) because she tormented their older cat. So when I came over to visit while I was there she came pouncing my feet & of course I couldn't not play with such a cute wee little kitten. It was then Amy told me her husband wanted Callie gone and I said I would like to have her. So I got the okay to keep her. Then I borrowed Amy’s carrier to bring her home.

I didn’t care for the name Shelly so I changed it to Callie. Callie is affectionate & playful. After she got old enough I had her spayed & my sister. . .read the rest of Callie's story.

Franny's Note: Callie evidently knew a "soft touch" when she saw it the day Joy visited Amy. While I regret the circumstances of Amy's having to "get rid" of Callie, it ended up to be a serendipitous experience for both Callie and Joy. Callie seems to be loved well by Joy's family, and I love happy endings.