Kitten about to be neutered found to be both male and female

Workers at a Cats Protection centre were astounded after finding out a kitten handed in to them is a hermaphrodite, with both female and male organs.

Nine-week-old Bellini, who was thought to be male, was taken in by one of the charity's adoption centres in St Helens, Merseyside, in February along with its siblings when just a few days old. Staff had assumed it was male, but vets discovered both male and female organs just as it was about to be neutered.



Sonia Scowcroft, centre manager, said it would let whoever adopts the black pussy cat decide what gender best fits Bellini, now nine weeks old. She said: “I was pretty stunned, it’s so unusual. I have seen over 3,000 cats during my time at Cats Protection and only seen one other hermaphrodite cat. I certainly never thought I’d see two.

“We have got used to calling Bellini a boy, but really it is up to his new owner to decide what they think is best. Either way, he is an absolute cutie pie and will make a really lovely pet.” The centre would like a new owner to adopt both Bellini and its litter-mate sister, Daiquiri, as the pair have formed a close bond.