🫂 CAT CULTURE
Cat lost in Yellowstone travels 800 miles to reunite with owners after two months

Benny and Susanne Anguiano from California were devastated when their beloved cat, Rayne Beau, ran into the woods during a camping trip in Yellowstone National Park. For two months, they searched and waited, hoping he would return, but eventually had to leave the park without him. Just when they thought all hope was lost, an animal welfare group called to let them know Rayne Beau had been found in Roseville, California, 800 miles away from where he disappeared.

Rayne Beau’s microchip played a crucial role in reuniting the family. A kind woman found him wandering the streets and brought him to the local SPCA, where his identity was confirmed. Though he was exhausted and depleted, he made it back to his owners. The Anguianos were overwhelmed with relief and hope their story encourages others to use pet trackers to avoid similar heartbreak. With millions of pets lost each year, microchips greatly increase the chances of being reunited with furry family members. Learn more about Rayne Beau’s story below! 👇

💡 INNOVATIVE INSIGHTS
Do cats experience grief? New research suggests they might

Do cats experience grief? That’s what researchers from Oakland University wanted to find out when they surveyed hundreds of cat owners about their pets’ behavior after the loss of another animal in the household.

The study suggests that cats may indeed grieve, showing signs of sadness like eating less, playing less, and seeking more attention after a fellow pet dies.

Here are some key findings from the study:

• Cats showed behaviors associated with grief, such as eating and playing less.

• They sought more attention from their owners and appeared to search for the deceased pet.

• The longer the cats lived together or spent time engaging with each other, the stronger these behaviors appeared.

• Some changes may be due to a new household dynamic or the owner projecting their own grief onto the surviving cat.

• Cats’ behavior mirrored grief responses seen in more social animals like dogs.

While the study presents compelling evidence, the researchers acknowledged that more studies are needed to fully understand how cats experience grief. It’s possible that cats have deeper emotional connections with other pets than previously thought. This research opens the door to further exploring the emotional lives of our feline friends.

🫂 CAT CULTURE
A new color of cat has been discovered

A rare new color of cat known as "salty liquorice" or "salmiak" has been discovered by researchers in Finland. These cats are black with white flecks and have a tuxedo-like pattern with solid white on their neck, chest, belly, and paws. The unique coloring is due to a genetic mutation where each hair changes from black near the skin to white at the tip, a discovery that has excited scientists.

Typically, cats come in two base colors: black and orange, with various shades or patterns created by fading or combining these colors. However, salmiak cats are different because they have a missing section of DNA responsible for their distinct coat. This genetic mutation is recessive, meaning both parents must carry the gene for their offspring to inherit the salty liquorice look, making these cats exceptionally rare.

The study, led by Dr. Heidi Anderson and published in Animal Genetics, sheds new light on feline coat genetics. By sequencing the genome of these cats, Anderson's team confirmed that the absence of the KIT gene, which typically fades black and orange fur, plays a key role in the salmiak pattern. Out of 181 cats tested, only six carried the mutation, and just three displayed the rare coat. Anderson believes this research could help bring attention to other rare cat breeds and further enrich our understanding of feline genetics.