Brigid's Crossing Foundation

24/05/2025

Genetic Breakthrough Reveals Why Orange Cats Are Mostly Male

Two studies published in Current Biology on May 15, 2025, have solved a 110-year-old mystery about orange cat fur.

Researchers from Stanford and Kyushu Universities identified a 5-kilobase deletion near the Arhgap36 gene on the X chromosome, which boosts gene activity in pigment cells, producing reddish-yellow fur instead of brown-black. This sex-linked mutation explains why most orange cats are male, as they need only one copy, while females, requiring two, often display tortoiseshell or calico patterns due to X-inactivation.

The mutation is unique to domestic cats, and scientists are now exploring its potential effects on health and behavior. Evidence of orange cats in ancient Egyptian art hints at the mutation’s long history, with plans to study mummified cat DNA next.

21/10/2024

Cooler weather is coming be prepared. Straw will reflect body heat back to a cat and actually repels moisture. Straw is tough, thick, dry leftover stalks from crops. It's lightweight and golden in color. Straw has a hollow center which makes for great insulation (just like double pane windows).

Do NOT use hay (OR blankets) for bedding in outdoor cat shelters. Hay is green and heavy. Hay is typically used to feed animals, like horses. It absorbs moisture, making it damp, cold and uncomfortable for cats, and has the potential to get moldy.

You can buy straw bales at your local co-op, farm/ag supply stores, local garden center/nursery, Home Depot, Lowe's, Tractor Supply or Ace Hardware. We’ve even seen bales of straw being sold outside grocery stores along with pumpkins. Farms selling pumpkins often sell bales of straw too.

Don’t need a whole bale? Perfect time of year to go by Walmart, JoAnns, Micheals etc. for their small decorative bales. They should be on clearance for a couple dollars.

10/10/2024

We are all safe. No casualties. Power is down but we are fortunate to have a generator running. Thank you Everyone for your prayers. We will see what morning light brings.

28/05/2024

So many beautiful kittens available for adoption. Double the fun and adopt two!

27/05/2024

Sleepy Sasha! Making it an early night. Sweet dreams everyone😻

31/03/2024

Sweet shy feral Bob says Happy Easter to all💕

17/03/2024

While many associate March 17th with St. Patrick's Day, it is also St. Gertrude of Nivelles Day. She is considered the patron saint of travelers, gardeners, widows, recently deceased souls, souls in purgatory, rodents and most importantly...cats!

01/03/2024

Come join us and support Brigid’s Crossing kitties!

01/03/2024

We hope you can join us on Wednesday March 6 anytime between 10 - 4 pm for J McLaughlin Sip and Shop Fundraising Event. Venetian Village Store In Naples, Florida. 4260 Gulfshore Blvd North.

15 % of SALES will benefit BRIGID’s CROSSING FOUNDATION!

Thank you Everyone😻

24/02/2024

From street cat to safe cat. Did you say catnip? What are we waiting for? Let’s dive in! - Star

18/02/2024

Naples peeps

❤$14 VALENTINE ADOPTION SPECIAL 2/11-2/18❤

Happy Look into my beautiful eyes! One brown, one blue I need a furever home with you.

🐱 Loretta A286111
🐱 Female
🐱 8 months old
🐱Brown tabby domestic shorthair
🐱 6 lbs.

To view our adoptable friends, visit https://bit.ly/_AdoptUs. 🐶🐱

18/02/2024

Hannah baby, loving life and slowly becoming comfortable with human contact. She still runs or hunkers down if approached too quickly but loves to snuggle up next to you on the bed when all is quiet. And what a loud purr!