If you’ve been waiting to adopt a cat because you want one that’s a bit more unique, you’re in luck. The Animal Foundation now has more than 25 polydactyl cats and kittens available for adoption! Most cats have 18 toes (5 on each of their front paws and 4 on each of their back paws), but polydactyl cats have more! Here are four fun facts about our polydactyl friends: Polydactyl cats usually have extra toes on their front paws. These added digits aren’t opposable, so don’t worry! Fluffy won’t start opening jars of catnip at 3am. Back in the day, polydactyl cats were considered good luck at sea. Their added toes helped them maintain better balance when the ships hit rough waters. According to Guinness Records, the world record for most toes on a cat is 28. While none of the adoptable polydactyl cats at our shelter beat that record, a few certainly came close. Stop by the campus adoption center to meet them! Polydactyl cats have a special place in history.

Oodles of polydactyl cats lived at Ernest Hemingway’s Key West, Florida home, and many still do! In fact, polydactyl cats are often referred to as Hemingway cats. President Theodore Roosevelt had a polydactyl “first cat” named Slippers. Polydactyl cats are definitely unique, but their needs are no different than those of your average, 18-toed feline. Hot Tub Pump Wet End RemovalBe aware that there is a chance the extra toe claws will grow into the pads, causing pain and infection. Dr Dent Weight Loss ProgramMonitor and regularly clip the claws on the extra toes to prevent problems, and if the claw is too difficult to access for clipping, contact your veterinarian as the claw may need to be surgically removed.How To Clean Mold Air Mattress

In honor of the 25+ polydactyl cats who just became available for adoption, we’re offering adopters discounted adoptions on ALL cats. Take $2 off for every toe the cat you’re interested in adopting has during our TOETALLY $2 DAYS SPECIAL, now through Monday, November 18! Click here to view the press release. All polydactyl cats are located at our Campus Adoption Center. View all adoptable cats online here.Some friends of mine have a polydactyl cat named Dougus, whom I affectionately call “The Toes.” He certainly earns the name: With six toes on each foot, he is well above average — and he’s off the charts in good looks and charm as well. Polydactyly is not unusual in cats, so Dougus is hardly alone in his freaky awesomeness. Here are five fascinating facts about six-(or-more)-toed cats. Count your kitty’s toes. Odds are she has a total of 18, with five toes on each front paw and four on each rear. If your kitty is polydactyl, however, she might have as many as eight toes on any given paw.

The word is Greek in origin, with “poly” meaning “many” and “daktylos” meaning “digits.” Most polydactyls have extra toes on their front paws, which sometimes resemble thumbs and make your kitty look as though she’s wearing adorable mittens. These extra digits are not opposable, which means your polydactyl cat will not be able to start feeding herself at 5 a.m. When a ship captain gave a white polydactyl cat named Snowball to writer Ernest Hemingway, the captain kicked off a pretty fantastic obsession for one of history’s most prolific cat guys. At Hemingway’s island home off Key West, FL, he collected more than 50 cats, almost half of whom had extra toes. Thanks to his obsession, today polydactyls are frequently called “Hemingway cats.” As Catster’s Dorian Wagner did, you can visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, where the cat colony still thrives — and some of the kitties are descendents of Snowball, Hemingway’s original polydactyl. Bonus fact: Polydactyls are such a big deal that they’ve made it all the way to the White House: President Theodore Roosevelt had a six-toed first kitty named Slippers.

The Internet cannot agree on which polydactyl kitty actually has the most toes. According to Guinness Records, the title belongs to Jake, a ginger tabby from Canada. He boasts seven toes on each paw, for a grand total of 28. Each toe has its own claw, pad, and bone structure. The rumor mill also tells of a 32-toed cat named Mickey Mouse who lived in the ’70s. But instead of polydactyly, he might have had a condition known as “double paws,” in which each paw is actually comprised of two fused mirror-image paws. Having extra toes is complicated! Historically, polydactyly was a useful trait for Maine Coon cats. For a breed originating in snowy Maine, doublewide paws with extra digits functioned as natural snowshoes. At one time, as many as 40 percent of all Maine Coons had extra toes. Though the trait is no longer as predominant in the breed, Maine Coon polydactyls are still recognized as an official breed by many cat fanciers. Back in the day, polydactyl cats got their sea legs by accompanying fishermen on many journeys.

And they earned their keep — they were rumored to be excellent mouse hunters, and their extra toes gave them better balance on ships that encountered rough waters. The cats’ many travels might explain their widespread presence today, predominantly in the United States, Canada, England, and Wales. Read more by Angela Lutz:Inn of the Six-Toed Cat prides itself on being the most reputable and hospitable bed and breakfast in Iowa. Our guests are treated to a delectable breakfast cuisine, elegant décor, and a comfortable mattress in an authentic turn of the century Inn. We have common rooms set up for guests who want a place to relax, read, watch TV or watch a movie. As an ideal Midwest inn, our staff is always readily available to assist guests and make their stay as pleasant as possible.What a delightful "home away from home!" Thank you for the generous hospitality. I am here for business and hope to come back with my family someday. Warmest regards, and best of luck. – Steinberg, New York, NY"Our Southern Iowa bed and breakfast is the perfect get-a-way for couples and families, as they are removed from the inherent stress that comes from living a busy life.

Not only that, but our inn makes a perfect setting for special events like: wedding receptions, dinner parties, luncheons, reunions, etc. and we do cater them too. We frequently have activities at the inn. Every month holds something special to do.There is much to do in our charming small town and surrounding area, whether it’s enjoying the Allerton World Fair in September or simply relaxing on the patio. There are lots of good bird watching areas within 20 miles of us, as well as trophy deer and turkey hunting opportunities. Come visit the Round Barn site and highly acclaimed Prairie Trails Museum in Cordyon. Take a day trip and follow the Mormon trail through Amish Country where you can visit various stores and make a stop at the historic Tharp Cemetery. If you like golfing there is golfing within an hour drive from the inn.Here at the Six-Toed Cat we love visitors and anyone is welcome to drop by and explore the inn. We also welcome families, sportsmen, workers, business people, visitors and people needing long-term accommodations.