Cats Chef
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At PAWS Chicago, shelter staff see all kinds of animals, but every so often, a new arrival truly takes everyone by surprise. That’s exactly what happened when a litter of tuxedo kittens came in from a home that had become overwhelmed with cats. Among the fluffy, black-and-white kittens was one little girl who was completely different — and completely adorable. Her name? Craisin.
From the moment she arrived, Craisin captured the hearts of everyone at the shelter. Unlike her siblings, she was hairless, with only a smattering of peach fuzz on her wrinkled little body and tiny gray sideburns. Her curious eyes and calm demeanor made her stand out even more.
Staff immediately noticed that she had a playful yet gentle personality that set her apart from the rest of her litter.
A Surprising Arrival
Craisin and her siblings were surrendered by their previous owner after it became too difficult to care for the number of cats in their home.
“There are at least 30 cats in the home, which we are taking into our program gradually,” said Allison Wunder, senior digital media manager at PAWS Chicago. “As of now, 12 of them have come to PAWS — one adult and 11 kittens. More will be coming, of course!”
Of those 12 cats, Craisin was the only one without a full coat of fur. “It was definitely a surprise to us,” Wunder added. Her hairlessness left staff curious but untroubled, as a veterinary examination confirmed she was healthy and social. There were no signs of medical conditions like demodectic mange, and her playful demeanor was evident immediately.
Experts say hairlessness in cats can result from a genetic mutation in the KRT71 gene, which is how breeds like the Sphynx were developed. Some social media followers suggested Craisin might even be a Lykoi, or “wolf cat,” a partially hairless breed with a wild, werewolf-like appearance. Others speculated that stress could have contributed to her baldness, though her overall health indicated that she was simply born this way.
Adjusting to Shelter Life
Though she lacked the fluffy coat of her siblings, Craisin quickly adapted to life at PAWS Chicago. Like many hairless cats, she is sensitive to temperature, so staff fashioned a tiny sweater and hat from a cut-up sock to keep her warm. But even with her cozy outfit, her favorite way to stay toasty was simple: cuddling with her furrier siblings.
“She definitely prefers to get her warmth from mooching off her fluffier siblings,” Wunder said. “We usually find her underneath one of the other kittens. She’s a big snuggler, but she’s the most chill of them all. She’ll engage in kitten wrestling from time to time, but her siblings are a little more wild than her.”
Craisin’s gentle personality and willingness to snuggle won over staff and visitors alike. Despite standing out physically, she was treated like any other kitten in her litter — equally playful, social, and deserving of love. Her small size and soft, wrinkly skin gave her a fragile, endearing look, and many volunteers couldn’t help but pause to admire her every time they passed her cage.
Searching for a Forever Home
Craisin and her siblings are now waiting for their forever families. Her unusual appearance hasn’t hindered her chances at adoption; if anything, it has made her stand out even more to potential adopters who fall in love with her unique look and affectionate nature.
For those interested in giving Craisin a loving home, PAWS Chicago provides information on adoption procedures on their website. The staff hopes that her story will encourage people to consider pets who might look a little different, reminding everyone that every animal deserves a loving home.
In a world where shelter animals face uncertain futures, Craisin’s tale is a hopeful one. Her arrival proved that sometimes, the animals who stand out the most are the ones who capture hearts — and sometimes even redefine what it means to be adorable.
Whether she’s snuggled up with her siblings, exploring her surroundings, or enjoying the warmth of a cozy sweater, Craisin serves as a reminder of the diversity and joy that animals bring into our lives. Her journey is just beginning, and the Chicago shelter staff are optimistic that the little naked kitten who stole their hearts will soon find the perfect family to love her forever.