Granted, Fingle the polydactyl kitten crossed the threshold of the Taunton & Wellington Cats Protection branch back in 2021. But when you are THIS cute and your tale can teach others how to best care for cats, there are never enough stories about you!
Fingle and family are full of polydactyl paws.
Back in early 2021, the organization took in a very pregnant mama cat along with two brothers, both boys polydactyl. Mama Mia, the Papa Tiger and Uncle Bowie all had a problem though…they were NOT fixed. Hence the looming labor. Sadly, their family had either not known the have the cats spayed or neutered or didn’t have the funds to do it. But now, they had to make an even harder decision. All three cats were surrendered to the shelter. Thankfully, here they could at least be cared for and weren’t just thrown to the streets.
Papa Tiger
Uncle Bowie
Cats Protection then shared the happy news about the new arrivals not long after on their website and social media pages.
When Fingle and his three siblings were born they were named after places on Dartmoor by the branch’s joint-coordinators David and Ann Manners.
“Fingle was the first born of the litter, on 4 February,” said Ann. “On 5 February he was joined by two brothers, Furze and Puggle, and then on 6 February we were very surprised when their sister Ingra arrived! We’d heard of delayed births before, but hadn’t actually experienced it.
Learning how to cat with all those extra toes!
As with all neonates and kittens in foster care, the milestones of learning how to cat can differ greatly from fluff to fluff. Perhaps little Fingle had an advantage with all the toes keeping him steady?
“Fingle is the only polydactyl in the litter. Little Fingle has 20 digits in total, two more than usual. Cats usually have four digits and a dew claw on their front paws, and four digits on each back paw. However, Fingle has five pronounced digits, including one that looks just like a proper thumb, plus his dew claws on his front paws, and a further five digits on each back paw.
He is bigger than his siblings, and has been first to achieve most things, although walking was more by luck than judgement as he got his paws in the wrong order!
Or was it a hindrance? Haha
“Due to his extra toes, Fingle is very good at climbing up their tall scratching post and back down again. We just need to be careful about his bedding, as he gets his claws well and truly stuck in towels, so needs to have a soft fleece blanket.”
Regardless, Fingle has paid us all back tenfold with the cuteness of his photography portfolio. 
Fingle and family now all happy living life in their forever homes.
Life was good in foster care, without a care in their little worlds.
“The kittens all spend time stalking one another, followed by an airborne ambush and kitten play. They’re like lambs, jumping in the air and racing around for no apparent reason. And then they crash into the deepest sleep. They have a remarkable ability to sleep through any disturbance.”
During their time with Cats Protection, the entire family had been pre-adopted! Amazing!
His new owner says he ‘turned into a very large and handsome young man’!
And while their former life may not have been ideal, they could now truly find peace, safety and a long life ahead.
“Fingle and his siblings are truly gorgeous but he and his family all arrived in care because none of his relatives were neutered,” explain Ann. “There was in-breeding between the cats because like so many people, his previous owners didn’t realise that not only can female cats become pregnant as young as four months old, but that unneutered family members will mate. The numbers simply got out of control. We’d invite anyone who is struggling to afford to get their cat neutered to reach out to us as on many occasions we can help.”
A recent survey by Cats Protection found that 77% of respondents were unaware cats could get pregnant from as young as four months old, while 86% did not know a female cat could produce up to 18 kittens in just one year*.
All Photos property of Cats Protection
