A homeless kitten has stunned vets at an animal charity by being the first cat they have seen that is neither male nor female, Sky News reports.
The Tabby-and-white cat named Hope was originally presumed to be a female cat when it was admitted to the Cats Protection's rescue center in Warrington, England - but vets found no external sex organs.
While vets have said that they have seen intersex cats, with male and female sex organs, even though it is very rare, Hope has no sex organs either externally or internally.
Now, Fiona Brockbank, Cats Protection's senior field veterinary officer, revealed that this appears to be a case of agenesis - which is the failure of an organ to develop - something she has never seen before.
The charity said that examinations have demonstrated that the kitten will not be impacted by the condition and is still waiting to be rehomed at the Cats Protection's Tyneside Adoption Centre.
Hope, who is 15 weeks old, is described as a lively kitten that has stolen the hearts of both staff and volunteers at the adoption center where it was first admitted and underwent examinations.
The Tyneside Adoption Centre manager Beni Benstead also commented on the discovery and shared a statement, per BBC News, that read: "Discovering Hope's special status has been an exciting time as none of us have seen this before or are likely to again."
"Hope has been a delight to care for and it is fantastic that they are now ready to be adopted. We know they will bring someone many years of fun and companionship. We would also be extremely grateful to hear updates on our Tyneside superstar," he added.
A Cats Protection spokeswoman said the kitten was initially brought in with her mother and three siblings by a family who said they were unfit to give them the attention they deserved.
They have all been vaccinated and microchipped, and insurer Petplan says they will not need any special coverage, according to the spokeswoman.
