TORTIES: AN ABUNDANCE OF PURR-SONALITY

By Valerie Burton
May 4, 2019

Starlite. Sis. Jenny. Nutmeg. Four beautiful girls with one thing in common: the stunning red and black shades of their fur which identifies them as Tortoiseshells (popularly known as Torties), so-called because their coloring resembles the shell of a tortoise. The color combination is rarer than most other cat coat colorings, and can vary with shades of gold, orange, brown, and cream.

Tortoiseshell cats have been a timeless source of fascination for fans of the feline species. A wide variety of books and articles explore their special features. For example, most Torties are female, as the genetic links for their coloring are in the female chromosomes.

In fact, male Torties are so rare (1 in 3,000), beliefs have grown around their unique powers, according to Ingrid King, author of Tortitude: The BIG Book of Cats with a BIG Attitude. “Ancient Celts believed it was good luck if a male tortoiseshell cat stayed in their home, and Japanese fishermen believed the males protected their ships from ghosts.” The author further states, “It’s said that tortoiseshell cats bring money, have psychic abilities, and see into the future. And if you dream about one, you’ll be lucky in love.”

These may be high expectations to place on a cat, but Torties are up for the challenge! Perhaps because of their legendary powers, female Torties have acquired a distinct reputation: as feisty, loud, reincarnated princesses—a personality sometimes defined as having “Tortitude.” They may at times be fiery, strong-willed, and vocal about their preferences. But just as a book cannot be judged by its cover, a cat’s personality cannot be defined by its color.

Jackson Galaxy, star of Animal Planet’s My Cat From Hell, states in an article for www.catster.com, “I hate generalizing about cat coats or breeds, or anything like that, in terms of assigning a personality to a cat. That being said, cats like torties, calicos, and orange tabbies tend to have a much more distinct personality, in my opinion.”

Is Tortitude for real, or is it just another myth that has risen around these red and black beauties? According to HSLC foster Stephanie, it depends. She began fostering both Sis and Starlite over the past six months, and their unique personalities are part of what have endeared them to her and convinced her they’d be great additions to lucky forever families.

“Starlite wasn’t in my foster room that long mainly because she would take her adorably tiny paws and slide them under the opening in the door and shake the door to let me know she wanted out. She is a very curious girl and very vocal. So I decided to let her out and watch how she reacted. Right away she found my own cat, a boy tabby, and they immediately became best friends. They wrestle, sleep together, and groom each other. She loves to explore the house and check everything out. Whatever you’re doing, she stands and watches you.”

Is she high-spirited and determined—in other words, does she display Tortitude? According to Stephanie, “The moment you sit or lay down she will immediately run to you to get her loving and back scratches in. She’s very vocal about wanting to be petted and will jump up beside you and meow until you pet her.”

Shortly after Starlite, Sis arrived from a high-kill shelter. She loves being around the other cats in Stephanie’s home, and as for the people, “She will come up to you and cuddle next to you and loves to get the top of her head and ears scratched. Sis is very sweet and calm. At almost six years old she still loves to play with toys and has kitten-like behavior. She’s very tiny and has a little grumpy face. But don’t let the grumpy face fool you—she is full of love and she really is sweet!”

As for Tortitude, Stephanie describes Starlite as “definitely a diva!” while Sis is “a mama’s girl.” She believes they will flourish when given the opportunity to live in loving homes. “Both cats have a lot of love to give and need a family who is willing to be their safe place.”

Whether or not their future families experience the abundance or protection Torties have been mythically purported to provide, one thing is certain: by welcoming a Tortie into your home, you are guaranteed to be lucky in love, because these cats will deliver a lifetime of fun, loyalty, and companionship.

All of the cats available for adoption through HSLC are vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and microchipped. Please see our website (www.humaneloudoun.org) for information on Starlite, Sis, Jenny, Nutmeg, and other cats available for adoption. Interested adopters can arrange a meet and greet. Please contact us at helpanimals@humaneloudoun.org.