CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cat fanciers have long known that their domestic feline partners have a wild past. But did you know that all of today’s 85.5 million household cats in the United States can be traced to just five lineages in the Near East 10,000 years ago?
A major genetic survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute, in Frederick, Maryland, and scientists at the University of Oxford, in England, studied 1,000 feral and domestic cats and found five matriarchal lineages to which all modern domestic cats belong. The ancestors of our modern-day feline housemates lived alongside ancient settlers in the Fertile Crescent -- an area stretching from the eastern Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf.
That could explain why all cats have a cute, yet regal air about them.
To celebrate October’s National Cat Day -- on Oct. 29 -- we asked our readers to send us photos of their adorable kitties and we were overwhelmed by the response, so much so, we had to move up the deadline for submissions.
This week, we are publishing the photos of every cat whose humans sent us photos prior to the new deadline. Yesterday we introduced you to Abracadabra to Elise. Today, meet Fluff through Kobe:
Fluff
Meet Fluff, a recent rescue. He loves to play and torture his brothers and then cuddle up next to his humans for a nap. His owner, Candie Diamond of Fairview Park says “Fluff is small but has filled our hearts with so much happiness and love.”
Frankie (Reardon)
Frankie is a 1-year-old rescue, who, according to Marianne Reardon is “the exact opposite of an independent cat.” Frankie likes to be near her humans, sitting between them as they watch television at night, waiting in the bedroom as they get ready each morning or just outside the office door while Marianne works on the computer. She’s aloof only when she wants to take her mid-day nap in the dog’s bed.
Frankie (Spahr)
This 5-year-old tabby is named Frankie. His owner, Liz Spahr of Lakewood, describes him as “the perfect combination of playful and snuggly.” He sits in his own chair at the dinner table every evening in the hopes that someone might share a few scraps with him. He wrestles and plays with his cat brothers, Mario and Newton, but when it’s time to rest, Frankie likes to relax and get comfy like a pro.
Freddie & Oliver
Freddie and Oliver are 14-year-old brothers who enjoy eating treats, wrestling with one another, watching birds and sleeping. This pair belongs to Dawn Thomas of Cleveland.
Frost
Frost was “skinny and quiet” at the shelter, but once he got to his new home with Joseph and Hanna Lesak, he found his voice and put on five pounds. Joseph says Frost “meows at everything all the time, and is a very loving cat.”
Geno
Meet Geno, a 12-year-old Persian beauty who spends his time dressing up for his Instagram followers. Don’t let his face fool you, he loves dressing up because he gets extra treats. He lives with his human, Dana DeNoi in University Heights.
George
George is a 5-year-old American Bobtail, who lives with his human, Jackie Raczka in Twinsburg. George’s favorite hobbies are “playing with toys non-stop” and cuddling. He always runs to the door to greet Jackie when she gets home.
Gidgette
Gidgette is a 15-year-old Mackerel Tabby. She has six toes on each paw. She was adopted last year by Michael Wetmore of Cleveland Heights when her owner passed away. For the first month she was with Wetmore, she hid in the closet with her face in the corner. She has come to trust her new family and is more social.
Gino
Meet Gino, a 3-year-old Sphynx, who lives with Marilyn Stinette in Highland Heights. Stinette said Gino sleeps in bed with her every night, curled up in her arms.
Gryffin
Meet Gryffin, a 2-year-old rescue. His owner, Nicole Kremperger of Lakewood says “he has the loudest purr, softest belly and has the most loving demeanor.” When he’s not trying to snuggle with his human, he enjoys playing fetch and chasing the laser pointer.
Gus
This is 7-month-old Gus, a Siamese mix. Ready for Halloween in his pumpkin costume, Gus never meows. His owner, Crystal Keener of Parma, describes him as “a super loving boy that loves to cuddle with his brother, Chester, and is the best at biscuit making.”
Half-Pint
Half-Pint is a 1-year-old rescue. She enjoys going to the Cleveland Metroparks and for walks around the neighborhood in her stroller, trips to Macs Backs-Books on Coventry to look at the books, or jaunts to hit up Starbucks on Cedar Fairmount for a cup of whipped cream. Half-Pint lives with her human, Alana Loria in Cleveland Heights.
Huey
Huey is a 2-year-old rescue who is described by his owner, Erica Mayse of Cleveland as “aggressively affectionate”. He will head butt you so hard while petting him and is a box lover.
Inky (Romain)
Inky was a feral kitten, brought into Valerie Romain’s backyard by her mother three years ago, along with her two siblings. Romain adopted the whole family, though the momma kitty prefers to live outside in a heated cat condo. Romain and Inky live in Cleveland.
Izzy (Romain)
This is 9-year-old Izzy, who enjoys cat napping with his little house on the bed. Izzy belongs to Valerie Romain, of Cleveland.
Jack
This is Jack, a 1-year-old American shorthair rescue. He suffered a serious eye infection and now has one cloudy eye. While it is unknown if his vision was impacted, owner Loretta Geyer said “it certainly hasn’t affected his spirits or his activity.” He, and his sister, are very special to Geyer because despite their rocky start in life she said “they are loving, active, playful, sweet cats. I don’t know what I would do without them.” Jack loves to lay on his back.
Jack (Graziano)
Meet Jack, a one-eyed 10-year-old rescue, who according to his owner, Jen Graziano of Mayfield Heights, gets away with counter surfing, stealing food off plates and scratching my couch” because of how lovable he is.
Jackie
This 5-year-old Tuxedo is Jackie, who lives with her human, Michael Wetmore in Cleveland Heights. Wetmore said “she may look royal, but really wants to climb up the chimney chute.” The Wetmores adopted her last year after her owner passed away.
Jaden
Meet Jaden, a 13-year-old Norwegian Forest mix. Owner Marilyn Miller of Cuyahoga Falls says “she is a bit of a diva (she knows she’s pretty) but she purrs a lot and simply enjoys sitting in a lap with a warm blanket. She’s also very social and loves going to the vet.
Jethro
This rescue is 11-year-old Jethro, one of 17 survivors of an abandoned apartment building near Lutheran Hospital. He was adopted by Nancy Wilson of Broadview Heights.
Kennedy
Meet Kennedy, described as a “mamma’s girl, sassy, and queen of the castle” by her human, Lauren Dudley of Broadview Heights. Dudley said Kennedy is always willing to cuddle and likes to be held while Dudley sings and dances.
Khaleesi & Baker
Meet Khaleesi (black cat) and Baker (brown tabby). They are 2-year-old siblings, who love to play, cuddle, and take care of each other. They live with their human, Kaylie Sunyak of Middleburg Heights.
Kina
Meet Kina, a 15-year-old who likes to watch videos on her human’s phone, sleep, and play in cardboard boxes. She is an avid self-bather and an energetic fan of catnip.
Kipton J. Nomeow
This guy is known as Kipton J. Nomeow, a 4-year-old domestic shorthair, rescue, who was found in a drainage ditch with his two brothers. Born feral, he was timid but now loves to be petted always. Kipton lives with his owner, Deb Weidner in Westlake.
Kirby
Meet Kirby. This 15-year-old lady loves sunsets. She is described by her owner, Terry Davidson as “a very sweet, beautiful girl who follows me wherever I go. Sleeps with me every night purring and cuddling.” Terry and Kirby live in Richfield.
Kitty & Tigger
Kitty, now an inside cat, was an outdoor 2-week-old kitten when she was rescued from under a shed. Now 4-years-old, she shares a bed with her owner, Pat Davidson of Richfield. Her “probably cousin,” Tigger, is in the chiminea. They love each other through the glass.
Knox
Knox is a 5-year-old domestic shorthair, who lives with Jessica Jurcak in Lakewood. Jessica calls him “7 pounds of snuggle.” No matter how persistent Knox needs to be, he’ll make his way onto her lap or into her arms for ear scratches and cuddles. Knock your phone out of the way in the process? Look at that face. He’s innocent.
Kobe
Kobe was homeless when he was adopted last year by Donald Vance, who named him after Kobe Bryant. The pair live in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
A committee of Cleveland.com staffers will meet soon to determine the 20 contestants who will advance to the finals and compete for the ultimate title of Northeast Ohio’s Cutest Cat.
Our readers will choose the ultimate winner. You may vote in an on-line poll for which cat you think is the cutest October 26-28.
We’ll announce the winner on October 29 -- National Cat Day.
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