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This Is Janie - A Baby Kitten Found On The Side Of The Road With An Unusual Silver Coat (59 Photos)
Today, let us introduce you to one recent internet sensation named Janie. She's a tiny (and super adorable) kitten who, a couple of months ago, was rescued after being found abandoned on the side of the road in Ontario, Canada. Why do people adore her so much, you ask? Well, first of all, she's absolutely adorable. And secondly, she has this uniquely-colored fur that makes her look like a tiny baby raccoon.
After being found, the kitten was brought to the Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue. According to Melissa, the founder of the rescue, the kitty was quite active and vocal despite weighing only 82 grams. Melissa had a plan to keep Janie in an incubator for 2 weeks, bottle-feed her, and when she was proven to be medically clear, introduce her to the cat mommy named June, who was rescued as a pregnant cat a few weeks prior. And that's exactly how it all went.
Janie is now a strong and active kitten adored by thousands of people all around the world. Turns out, the silvery coat that stole pretty much everyone's heart is known as a “fever coat” and it typically occurs when the mother is ill while being pregnant. There's nothing dangerous about it to the kitten, though! However, the cat will probably lose the color once she grows up.
Bored Panda invites you to sit back and enjoy some of the most adorable photos of little Janie. Besides, we had a chance to ask Mellissa some interesting questions, so make sure to look for her answers down below.
More info: Instagram
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#1
Dave Chapman 5 years ago
Hi, just an FYI, but ALL cats are born with Blue eyes. Blue eyes mean a lack of pigmentation and cat's don't start developing the melanin until 6 weeks of age, what you're seeing here is actually what blue eyes look like as they start to develop their permanent colour. Some cats can maintain the blue into adulthood, but Grey is not an eye colour in cats. Normally what some people consider as "grey" eyes, are just a very dull, ruddy blue eye. The medically recognized eye colours for cats are - Blue, Copper, Yellow, Gold, Orange, Green and Red. Of course there are many different shades of these colours. Stay safe! http://messybeast.com/eye-colours.htm
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Laila Hernandez 5 years ago
Oh, 1 min im scared to death and next, im sitting on a fluffy pink thing, whew, no cars
Cheryl Lortz 5 years ago
Wow what is wrong with people i don't get it all they have to do is take it some where safe a rescue or im sure someone would take it an find a home but to dump it to be hit by car an starve to death i don't get it they toss it like trash 🤬
RELATED:
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Dave Chapman 5 years ago
Second thing I saw were those monster paws...the 1st was definitely that beautiful white tinged fur, especially on the face, what a Unique and gorgeous lil gal!!
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Laura Perkinson 5 years ago
I am betting Mom cat was moving her and dropped her and she was picked up before mom got back.
"Janie was found all alone on a sidewalk. The people who found her told me she was screaming for her life. She was left in the full sun which resulted in some pretty bad burns on her back paws," Mellissa told Bored Panda. "Janie is now 8 weeks! She was about 24 hours old when I rescued her."
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Pauline Bennett 5 years ago
That face has so much expression. And look that tiny white tip on her back foot.
Lesley Langlois 5 years ago
She's an absolute doll!! Had cats and kittens for over 50 years, and this is one of the coolest, ever!!!
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Tracy Keiger 5 years ago
It's trouble for finding little kittens that are hurt or injured and sick. The person finding this little kitten is a good person to get help for him. I just wish these animal shelters around her Woodstock. Va or any were you can adopt a kitten. I have gone threw 30 applications over this whole VA are. Till now. I have no kitten and you know they have a lot of kittens. I live to far some excuse I have been going threw. I know this kitten will have know problem. But, I heard that they have to go threw a 100 emails. To find the right match. The systems to need to be better then that..
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Mary Peace 5 years ago
I like this one best because its like one mass of cat, with the coat markings its as if they're all camouflaged together.
"Her personality is so special! She’s extremely friendly, sassy, fearless and very affectionate! She’s constantly going around purring!" Mellissa told us. "I think people fell in love with her because she looks “different”. Janie was born with a fever coat which can happen when pregnant cats are sick or stressed. People also love her story because she got to join my other fosters, June and her 4 babies."
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Brie Mihalek 5 years ago
She is so cute and can i have her and she would have fun with my 4 rare cats i have and i have a rare black and grey ghost kitten and a grey cat with a brown hue to his fur
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Valerie G. 5 years ago
I had a kitten like this, at adult size she had turned black and white.
Carrie Roettger 5 years ago
Our roommate's cat had a couple of kittens who looked like this baby on their backs. One of them passed away 🙁 but the other one is now a floofy solid black princess. We called them the toner twins and called one Xerox and the other Canon.
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Eira 5 years ago (edited)
She looks like she's wearing a tuxedo/has a napkin under her chin! AHHHHHH!!!
Ellen Daniels 5 years ago
Same facial markings as some old "teenage werewolf" movies
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According to Melissa, little Janie was already catching the attention of the mother June while she was still in the incubator. June would sit there and watch Melissa feed the baby through a large window, anxiously wanting to help. "She wanted that baby so bad and kept crying at the incubator," Melissa told Love Meow. "June immediately accepted Janie as her own as soon as I was able to safely introduce them. June had to lick and clean her for a good 10 minutes, and then she cuddled up with everyone while June's babies were nursing. It was such a sweet moment to witness."
#9
Dave Chapman 5 years ago
That's a mommy cat for you, once that "Mommy" switch is flipped, they become one of the hardest working and caring mothers in the animal kingdom! More often than not, a mommy cat will instantly accept a needy kitten, she just can't ignore their cries. I had to raise 2 litters in my life, one litter was VERY young, just a few days old and I tell you, that was more work than I ever realized, so I have a deep appreciation of just how devoted mother cats are.
#10
Pepper Pots 5 years ago
O man if I could only be there to play with all of them and give them a cuddle, they are the best cuddlers
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When asked, how she first got into rescuing kittens, Mellissa told us this: "I started a rescue on my own back in 2017. I was a previous volunteer for my local OSPCA in Cornwall, Ontario. Each weekend I was there I would witness people bringing in tiny newborn kittens and the staff would stick them in a room and close the door. I eventually connected the dots. They were euthanizing them instead of trying to save them. It really upset me! I cried for months and tried to figure out a way for them to let me foster. I was denied even though I offered to fully fund the care they needed. I also offered to bring the kittens back when age appropriate for adoption so they could still make on their adoption fee. No luck! I ended up fostering for another rescue for a few months and then decided to start my own rescue."
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Therese Burchianti 5 years ago
Will you let someone adopt her? I'd love to take care of and keep this beautiful kitty.
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ƒιѕн 5 years ago
Fun Fact: 99.9% of Calico cats are female. Male calicos are extremely rare and only 1:10,000 are fertile.
Daria Z 5 years ago
I know 1 fertile calico male, he must be that rare exception :)
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Peggy Bishman 5 years ago
I owned a male calico when I lived in Fla, someone stole him out of our yard, really upset me.
"The best part of rescuing is watching my foster babies grow and thrive in my care. It’s extremely rewarding!" the founder of the Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue told us. "It’s also so awesome to get to watch their adoptive families fall in love with them! I’m super fortunate that majority of my adoptive families stay in touch and constantly share updates. Some have even made Instagram accounts for all my followers and supporters can continue watching them grow!"
#15
Dave Chapman 5 years ago
They almost look transparent, like little burn blisters!! She is such a unique lil girl, so glad she was found and given a 2nd chance at a happy and fun life.
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#16
Sarah Ponsart 5 years ago
So sweet! It almost looks like the older sibling is comforting her and whispering reassurances into her ear "it's ok, you're safe now. We love you"
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Todorokie-dokie 5 years ago
Can we just take a second to appreciate that beautiful cat face on the wall?
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Dave Chapman 5 years ago
That fur is just insane!!! I have literally had over 100 kittens and seen 1000's, but never have I seen a coat like this, she's a keeper ;)
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Ranneth Patti 5 years ago
It looks like the type that flops around like a real fish! If so they have several different types of fish to buy!
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#23
carol cee 5 years ago
She is such a cutie!!!! I am so so glad she was rescued, my goodness just the thought of her out there by herself is scary enough!!! Thank you to all of you ,always!!!! You are the kindest people with the biggest and best heart's ever!! Thank you T j and you Thank you💓💞💖👋👏
Johanne Trudeau 5 years ago
I'm still convinced that this little kitty is part silver fox somehow...
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Jenefer Lane 5 years ago
You can see that as she gradually gets older, day by day, she's getting darker.
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Valerie G. 5 years ago
I had a nursing mom with only one kitten, she very graciously accepted a litter of four that someone left in a box outside a pet store. I had 73 kittens that summer. You can bet that the following summer I asked that I only foster patients and seniors with health problems.
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Margaret Barklay 5 years ago
she certainly loves the camera! She looks straight at the phographer. She is very sweet. 💕💕
Faith Nicole 5 years ago
She is such a beautiful little kitten. Does she have fever coat. Or is this her permanent coloring?
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Junior Cucumber 5 years ago
Where can I get the blanket? Wait, it comes with the kitten right?
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Phil Boswell 5 years ago
You try telling a mum of any species they aren't, they won't believe you ;-)
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Dave Chapman 5 years ago
She's already darkening in colour, too bad because that white fringe was very unique! Still a gorgeous, but she's going to be a black & white cat, with possibly some grey tinged fur on the face.
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Shelli Aderman 5 years ago (edited)
With umbillicus! 😳 Poor thing, the shock may have turned her hair white, like it does with humans?
Nadine 5 years ago
I found this: "Fever Coat is a condition that occurs when a pregnant cat falls sick due to an infection, or if the cat is stressed during pregnancy. It can also occur when cats are put on medication by their owners without knowing that their pets are pregnant. Fever Coat appears in kittens because the pigments have not been properly deposited in the fur. This causes parts of the fur to appear silver-grey, cream or reddish as a result." Information taken from this website:https://www.brucethecat.co.nz/blog/fever-coat-what-is-it
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What do you think ?
Cuddles 5 years ago
Just...for anyone wondering...eventually she'll shed the 'silver' coat and have a regular colored coat like other kitties. And from the looks of it she'll have a pretty black coat and a white 'bib'. :3 I just always see posts about 'fever coat' kittens and no one ever seems to mention the fact that they lose the silvery colors when they grow up. But it is nice seeing her going from teeny tiny baby to a big curious kitten. Good on Melissa for helping Janie. :3
Alex 5 years ago
My cat looked like this until he grew up. The shelter called him "Frosty" as a kitten and told me to send them pictures when he grows up lol. My family is allergic to cats so we adopted a Siberian, which he turned out not to be. He also has an autoimmune disease. He's completely different than we expected in every sense but we wouldn't trade him for anything. I hope whoever adopts him see that he is just as beautiful without the silver
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Kathryn Baylis 5 years ago (edited)
So, if this is a “fever coat” from the mother being sick during pregnancy, my question is, where’s the mother cat? I mean, there’s a sick adult female cat out there. Did she abandon little Janie after delivery? Was she moving her littler and just hadn’t gotten back for little Janie yet? Did she die? Did anyone look for her? Glad Janie’s doing so well. But I am obviously worried about her mama.
Magpie 5 years ago
Great questions Kathryn. Hopefully someone was able to go back and sort that out. Young mothers / stressed / ill mothers often abandon kittens. As far as I can see the best thing would be a trap neuter return program. Trapping cats is not simply set the trap come back next day. Kitten Lady on you tube has several "how to" videos and "why to" .
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Magpie 5 years ago
Hard info: tiny kittens need to be kept in isolation, usually 2 weeks, to find out if they have any disease that can be passed to others. example ring worm. The shelters simply do not have enough space to do this safely. They probably also do not have enough staff to do 2 hourly feeds all night and day. They will be breaking their hearts as the least cruel solution is to euthanise..... They also may not have enough incubators, tiny kittens can not regulate their body temp. They are fragile and can die from being a few degrees too hot or cold. In the usa it is a HUGE problem. As far as I can tell trap-neuter-return programs are a good partial solution. ( I am in Australia and feral cats have done immense damage to our wild life- I love my adopted cats and keep them inside 24 / 7 for this reason ) __________ Consider making a small donation of money / time to your local. Watch Kitten Lady on youtube for more info.
Lisa 5 years ago
Raising newborn kittens is so difficult, the momma cat left a brand-new born at the PO. She had it on the docks and we think she got frightened, it was there when I got there 8 am and when I got back from the route at 430 pm. No one was going to help it and I couldn't bear to let it die out there without trying. At my home we had 3 on rotating watch to care for it, heating pad and specially made kitten formula. It didn't make it and it really gutted us. Their bodies can't regulate temperature, man it still bothers me that he didn't make it. We had a home lined up for him too. Sucks. I couldn't deal with being a vet tech, it's so difficult becoming emotionally invested.
Pauline Bennett 5 years ago
If any one wants her because of her baby color- don't give it to them. She needs love because she is beautiful kitten Who had an awful start to life. Kudos to the rescuers!
Nubis Knight 5 years ago
Isn't the strange coloring a "fever coat" due to false deposition of Pigments in the fur because of illness in young kitten?
Cuddles 5 years ago
Just...for anyone wondering...eventually she'll shed the 'silver' coat and have a regular colored coat like other kitties. And from the looks of it she'll have a pretty black coat and a white 'bib'. :3 I just always see posts about 'fever coat' kittens and no one ever seems to mention the fact that they lose the silvery colors when they grow up. But it is nice seeing her going from teeny tiny baby to a big curious kitten. Good on Melissa for helping Janie. :3
Alex 5 years ago
My cat looked like this until he grew up. The shelter called him "Frosty" as a kitten and told me to send them pictures when he grows up lol. My family is allergic to cats so we adopted a Siberian, which he turned out not to be. He also has an autoimmune disease. He's completely different than we expected in every sense but we wouldn't trade him for anything. I hope whoever adopts him see that he is just as beautiful without the silver
Load More Replies... Kathryn Baylis 5 years ago (edited)
So, if this is a “fever coat” from the mother being sick during pregnancy, my question is, where’s the mother cat? I mean, there’s a sick adult female cat out there. Did she abandon little Janie after delivery? Was she moving her littler and just hadn’t gotten back for little Janie yet? Did she die? Did anyone look for her? Glad Janie’s doing so well. But I am obviously worried about her mama.
Magpie 5 years ago
Great questions Kathryn. Hopefully someone was able to go back and sort that out. Young mothers / stressed / ill mothers often abandon kittens. As far as I can see the best thing would be a trap neuter return program. Trapping cats is not simply set the trap come back next day. Kitten Lady on you tube has several "how to" videos and "why to" .
Load More Replies... Magpie 5 years ago
Hard info: tiny kittens need to be kept in isolation, usually 2 weeks, to find out if they have any disease that can be passed to others. example ring worm. The shelters simply do not have enough space to do this safely. They probably also do not have enough staff to do 2 hourly feeds all night and day. They will be breaking their hearts as the least cruel solution is to euthanise..... They also may not have enough incubators, tiny kittens can not regulate their body temp. They are fragile and can die from being a few degrees too hot or cold. In the usa it is a HUGE problem. As far as I can tell trap-neuter-return programs are a good partial solution. ( I am in Australia and feral cats have done immense damage to our wild life- I love my adopted cats and keep them inside 24 / 7 for this reason ) __________ Consider making a small donation of money / time to your local. Watch Kitten Lady on youtube for more info.
Lisa 5 years ago
Raising newborn kittens is so difficult, the momma cat left a brand-new born at the PO. She had it on the docks and we think she got frightened, it was there when I got there 8 am and when I got back from the route at 430 pm. No one was going to help it and I couldn't bear to let it die out there without trying. At my home we had 3 on rotating watch to care for it, heating pad and specially made kitten formula. It didn't make it and it really gutted us. Their bodies can't regulate temperature, man it still bothers me that he didn't make it. We had a home lined up for him too. Sucks. I couldn't deal with being a vet tech, it's so difficult becoming emotionally invested.
Pauline Bennett 5 years ago
If any one wants her because of her baby color- don't give it to them. She needs love because she is beautiful kitten Who had an awful start to life. Kudos to the rescuers!
Nubis Knight 5 years ago
Isn't the strange coloring a "fever coat" due to false deposition of Pigments in the fur because of illness in young kitten?
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