No.It is not surprising that they have touched the hearts of stars like Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift: they are irresistible. Recognizable by the folded down ears, which give them a particularly sweet appearance, however, Scottish Folds suffer from serious health problems due to unnatural development of the skeleton. If they are raised it is because they are in demand, in demand. From here the appeal of Cats ProtectionBritish charity that deals with felines: the breeding must be banned throughout the United Kingdom.
Scottish Fold, the genetic disease behind their appearance
The genetic disease from which the Scottish Folds are affected is called osteochondrodysplasia and involves weakness of cartilage in both ears and jointswith the risk of developing debilitating forms of arthritis at a much younger age than those of other breeds.
But these cats also suffer from frequent ear inflammation and other heart and kidney ailments. “Their life is so difficult that they are often killed at a young age.” The disease is, of course, hereditary.
How a cat breed is born
Precisely as a hereditary disease it could be handed down, voluntarily, from generation to generation, from the first kitten with her ears folded forward to today. She, the first kitten, was called Susie and was born in Scotland (for this Scottish + Fold, “folded”). Susie was discovered in 1961 by a passionate cat shepherd named William Ross who tried, successfully, to maintain that peculiar trait of hers from mother to son, to grandson.
Boom of Scottish Fold, a fashion contested by animal rights activists
Until last year there were few examples of these cats in circulation. Today there are over 110,000, about 1% of the British cat population. The spread of Scottish Folds in the last 12 months is practically a surge, specific the annual report of Cats Protection. The explanation is (dramatically) simple. The growing desire for animals with certain physical characteristics and the popularity that comes from owners of the caliber of Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift, who are also friends with each other.
Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift in love with their Scottish Fold
The English singer has even opened an Instagram profile to his two kittens, Calippo and Dorito (the Scottish Fold is Calippo; the profile has 266,000 followers). The American singer and actress often posts photos of her three cats – including two Scottish Fold, Meredith (from Meredith Gray, of Grey’s Anatomy), and Olivia Benson (from Law & Order) – on her personal profile, which boasts over 230 million followers.
Cats Protection’s stance is not a shot from the blue: it is also shared by other animal welfare organizations and the British veterinarians association.
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