Cat’s 26 toes help boost Milwaukee animal shelter

GREENDALE, Wis. — In a reversal of fortunes, a once-unwanted cat has come to the rescue of an animal shelter in need of a new home.

However, this orange-and-white tabby named Daniel is no typical cat. He has a near-record 26 toes, a phenomenon that is helping the nonprofit Milwaukee Animal Rescue Center raise money to relocate to a new building.

Normal cats have 18 toes, but Daniel has two extra on each foot due to a genetic mutation called polydactylism.

Officials at the center found out their rent at a Milwaukee-area mall was being doubled on Jan. 1. So, the shelter sought small donations of $26 — or $1 per toe.

They’ve collected enough so far to secure the financing with about $80,000 raised since Oct. 24, but they hope to raise $120,000 by Dec. 23 so they can become even more financially stable. About $50,000 of the money raised has come from $26 donations.

“I’ve always been a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and this is definitely the case,” said Amy Rowell, owner of Milwaukee Animal Rescue Center in Greendale.

She found Daniel in October at animal control when she went to pick up another cat. As she bent down to that cat’s cage, Daniel stuck his paw out and poked her head.

“He was very clearly saying, ‘I need to be rescued, I’d like to be your friend, please pay attention to me,'” she said. “And when a sign is that obvious, we tend to not ignore it.”

The shelter takes in animals that might otherwise be euthanized.

Daniel was originally going to be adopted out, but Rowell has decided to keep him as a shelter mascot.

Daniel’s 26 toes — two shy of the Guinness World Records number— don’t seem to affect his cat activities.

“He runs and he plays and he climbs, he uses a scratching post. He seems to be not bothered by it at all,” Rowell said.

SportsPlus

Mower County

Winter weather advisory to be issued as system begins moving in

Agriculture

Mower adds certified farmers in 2024

Education

PHOTOS: Unified fun — Austin High School hosts 2nd Unified Basketball Day

Mower County

Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota won’t seek reelection, dealing blow to Democrats’ hopes to take Senate

News

Republicans advance anti-abortion legislation during control of Minnesota House

News

Feds to probe Minnesota State High School League over transgender athlete policy

Mower County

Hormel honors winners of Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest

News

MnDOT announces winners of Name a Snowplow contest

News

US inflation got worse with rising groceries and gasoline prices

Education

With federal money at risk, Minnesota’s public colleges stress high stakes of state budget debate

Mower County

Snow, cold to impact region into tomorrow

Business

Hosting Legends: Mower CEO program promising big night with Local Legends concert

Education

APS School board authorizes bidding process for tennis courts reconstruction

Mower County

Austin Symphony Orchestra gets a little help in promotion for Sunday’s concert

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Jan. 27-Feb. 3

Education

Local students advance to Southeast Minnesota Final Spelling Bee

Education

Education Briefs

News

Trump steel, aluminum tariffs likely to drive up car costs, industry leaders say

News

Republicans put fraud, measures to stop it in spotlight as they take Minnesota House reins

News

Most nations miss deadline for plans to fight climate change

News

Trump once again slaps taxes on foreign steel, aluminum, a move that proved costly in his first term

Education

APS Board votes to return to 2020 version of sex nondiscrimination policy

Mower County

Man already charged in two cases of criminal sexual conduct with a child charged a third time

News

Judge finds Trump administration hasn’t fully followed his order to unfreeze federal spending