CRAVENDALE the rescue cat is looking for a new home — but potential owners will have to lock up their cupboards because the unusual feline was born with thumbs that he uses to his advantage.

    The cat uses his extra digits to climb like a human and also uses them to pick up his toys at the RSPCA Center in Warrington, Britain, where he currently resides.

    Normally cats have 18 toes on their paws but Cravendale — named because of the advert featuring cats with thumbs — has four extra digits, two on the front paws and two on his back paws.

    Sarah Ellis, RSPCA branch manager for the center said, “He’s from a multi-cat household and was rescued with a few others and all of them had really bad dental problems.

    “They were really unhealthy and they’re up for rehoming. They weren’t as bad as some we rescue although Cravendale was the only one with thumbs.

    “He came into our care in mid-June and was signed over to our care after the court case against his previous owner finished. He had a lot of treatment and almost all of his teeth out but he’s had blood tests and he’s fine now.”

    Ellis said, “It’s a genetic condition called polydactylism. He’s got two extras on the front but one is really small.

    “Normally it’s a congenital abnormality associated with inbreeding and other health problems but Cravendale isn’t showing signs of those.

    “He certainly used them to pick up toys and in his cat pen he was climbing up it like a person would do rather than just with his claws.”(SD-Agencies)