An orphaned kitten, with one half black fur and the other ginger, was rescued and captured many hearts.
An orphaned kitten, Apricot, was found with a striking two-tone face—half black and half ginger.
Along with her sister, Pretzel, she was rescued from a wall by a family in Tennessee.
The two orphaned kitten were brought to Nashville Cat Rescue, where they received care and a new chance at life.
Two orphaned kittens found in a wall
Two orphaned kittens, in cluding Apricot and Pretzel were discovered by a family renovating their new home.
While doing construction work, they found the two kittens hidden within a wall.
They immediately took the tiny pair to Nashville Cat Rescue for help.
Apricot’s unique appearance
The kitten’s face is perfectly split into two colors: black on one side and ginger on the other.
Apricot’s unusual appearance suggests she may be a genetic chimera.
This condition occurs when two embryos fuse into one, creating cells with two different types of DNA.
This rare trait gives Apricot her distinct, two-tone face.
Two orphaned kittens were cared for by foster caregiver Kiki.
Apricot and Pretzel were taken in by Kiki, a dedicated volunteer foster caregiver.
She was already caring for two pregnant rescue cats, Pickle and Olive. When Apricot and Pretzel arrived, Kiki carefully introduced them to the two mother cats.
Pickle and Olive had each given birth shortly after being taken in by Kiki. Pickle delivered six kittens, though one sadly did not survive.
Olive had two kittens, with a significant delay between deliveries, prompting an emergency visit to the vet. Unfortunately, the vet discovered a deceased kitten still inside Olive, and she underwent a Caesarean section to remove it.
Then Apricot and Pretzel found new home
Kiki slowly introduced Apricot and Pretzel to Pickle and Olive. Because the two kittens were very young, the mothers quickly accepted them.
The kittens soon became part of a larger, shared litter, embraced by both mother cats.
A new beginning for Apricot, Pretzel, and their feline family
Pickle and Olive have a special bond. They care for each other’s kittens as if they were their own.
The two mothers are so close that they swap roles, ensuring all the kittens are looked after. This shared parenting style allowed Apricot and Pretzel to feel safe and welcomed.
Nashville Cat Rescue shared insights into the bond between Pickle and Olive.
They noted that the mother cats were initially shy and would hiss or growl but quickly showed affection for each other. This closeness made it easier for Kiki to care for them.
Kiki spent hours with the cats daily, gradually building trust. She often worked on her laptop near them, allowing them to adjust to her presence.
Her goal was to ensure the mothers felt comfortable, especially during kitten weighing and daily care.
In short, Apricot’s striking two-tone face, likely due to her genetic chimera trait, makes her a rare and beautiful kitten.
Alongside her sister Pretzel, she has found safety and care under the loving watch of Pickle and Olive. Thanks to the dedication of Nashville Cat Rescue and foster carer Kiki, these kittens have a second chance at life.
