A 7 month old Sphynx. What is a Sphynx and why be so excited?
A Sphynx is a nearly hairless cat. It is a very rare breed. To see one in a shelter in itself is a shock, the fact that it is still a kitten had me flabbergasted. The owner surrendered her because she was "moving to South America". According to her, and I believe it, she paid $1500 for the cat when she first got it. I don't understand why she didn't sell it, but oh well. I am adopting her tomorrow. I love the breed, but I would NEVER pay $200 for a cat, let alone $1500!!! To adopt her, I am paying $85, but the adoption fees go mostly into her medical care (low cost medicine, shots, vet visit, spaying). So in essence, the actual cat is free, I just pay low cost care for her intially.
Sphynx have specific needs that are related to their hairless-ness. They are comfortable at 70-80 degrees. They can't live outdoors as the elements (sun, cold, etc) could make them ill and even kill them. They have delicate skin that can scratch easy. They need to be bathed once a week, since the oils in their skin have no fur to latch onto. They also have no eyelashes, so nothing protects debris from going into their large eyes and have to have their eyes cleaned 1-2 times a day. They also need their ears cleaned often. And lastly, they have to have their teeth brushed everyday. The same gene that effects hairless-ness also effects their teeth and causes them to decay faster then other cats.
Its not a breed for people who just want a weird looking cat. They have specific needs, that some may find too much or annoying. Personally, none of that stuff bothers me in the least. I have time for all of it and enjoy doing it all.
I didn't bring her home today. The vet will be there tomorrow to give her her shots and a health check. I'll also get medication for her upper respitory infection then. I did get a chance in my busy day to take one snapshot of her. Many more will come when she comes home and gets comfortable

Oh, and names so far we have listed
Satin (because of how she feels soft)
Isis (Egyptian goddess of magic, motherhood, and home)
Sin (I just like the sound of it...and I have a feeling she's going to be trouble)
Titania (fairy queen)
Mystique (from X-Men...and it just sounds cool for her)