Freak feline is two-faced

21/Nov/2008

By Linda Parri

Average Rating:

Comments: 86 readers have left a comment

No need to do a double-take - this kitten really does have two faces. Picture: Matthew Poon.

IT could be a case of two heads are better than one after a mutant moggy with two faces was born in Midvale on Wednesday.

The kitten’s owner and a veterinarian had to do a double-take when the rare kitten came into the world at Swan Veterinary Clinic after its mother suffered complications during birth.

The kitten eats out of just one mouth because of a cleft palate but both mouths meow simultaneously.

Veterinarian George Huber and nurse Louisa Burgess delivered the kitten.

Ms Burgess said that in her 12-year career she had never seen a two-faced cat.

“I have seen cats with two tails and extra legs, but not this,” she said.

Ms Burgess said the cat appeared healthy.

“It has a full tummy and it survived the night so that is a good sign,” she said. “It seems content, it meows and purrs.

“This is the result of a congenital deformity. Something has gone wrong in the early embryonic development.”

The kitten was one of three in the litter - its siblings were born without any deformities.

Its Mundaring owner plans to keep the kitten and is thinking of calling it either Mr Men or Quasi Modo.

Kitten dies - click here to read the story

See a gallery of the kitten here

Click here for more local news

What Do You Think?

Your rating :

What everyone else is thinking

crystal

08/01/2009

It is kitten season...this week HUNDREDS of cats wil be put down at the Cat HAven in Shenton park...unless you go and save them.

prince of biafra

21/12/2008

It is abnormal and as such it/they should be killed, it is a taboo for a cat to have 2 heads, it/they are not fit to live. please dont keep it/they alive.

claire

18/12/2008

just because its out of the norm u slag it off? grow up!

john slaney

10/12/2008

get rid it wants putting down freak nature is not right

Jez (Sydney)

28/11/2008

Aimz

The reaction to this 2 headed cat in Perth is something like one would expect from the people in the sub-continent of India and surrounding countries, where they worship freaks with extra legs, arms, heads because they are so backward they think of them as Gods, remember the Indian girl born with extra legs and arms, morons were queuing up paying money to see and worship her.

Reactions of Perth people was much the same (read the blogs) "how wonderful" "so cute" "I want it" "I love it". I merely said a birth defect is not cute, the folk that think it is a cute need to get a life, and visit a home for the mentally and physically disabled from birth, surely you wouldn't say a baby born with 2 heads was cute, so why for gods sake would a cat with 2 heads be cute?

In the East they say you folk in Perth are inbreeds, you've all lived too long in isolation. Get a grip its not the 18th century where freaks were something to admire

Aimz

28/11/2008

I think the comment Jez the from sydney made about west aussies was a bit wrong.... how bout you get a grip in life jez... what a low thing to say... if the kitten was born in sydney, everybody there would think the same as we did... and our city is not behind living in the 18th century, I think u still might be though, throwing around un-necessary comments like that. Just because your in sydney and we're in Perth, doesnt make you all high and mighty and better than us. I used to live in sydney myself, and i think our cities and our people are all on the same, modern level...i think you should apologize to Perth people who im sure have also taken offense to your cheap comment...

katie

27/11/2008

Norm Normal

crawl back under your rock becasue that is where you need to be.

If the kitten can live then he needs to be given that chance.

Ben Wilks

24/11/2008

Thank Christ it's dead.

George Taylor

23/11/2008

That "kitten" was a grotesque freak that is better off dead.

Norm Normal

22/11/2008

Thank goodness it has at last died of its own accord, at least its death will now put an end to this media circus of a freak show. It would have been far more humane to have put the thing out of its misery in the first place by gasing/euthanasia.

To all those that think it was cute and want one, no doubt the owners will encourage another mating so that the freak two headed gene surfaces again in some future litter.

I still maintain that all those that thought it was "cute" should have their brains looked at, it was not "cute" it was CRUEL to keep it alive in the first place, and those that cried "cute cute" were the cruelest of the lot, as if it weren't for their encouragement it would have never lived for the sole purpose of becoming a freak show.

PS when I next see a mother pushing a baby with two heads in Forest Place I shall go up to her and say Oh how cute, its just lovely, I wana pick it up and kiss it. Give me a break......

amellia

22/11/2008

so what is really being said by a lot of ignorant shallow people is that anything out of the norm cannot possibly be cute or desirable, what a fickle world we live in, why should the kitten be put down, for what reason, should however the kitten be in pain/distress then yes that would be the humane thing to do, the fact that the owners could be making money of the kittens abnormality isnt the issue, people should think before making ridiculous statements, there but for the grace of god go i ????????

Felines & Friends

22/11/2008

The only time our organization euthanizes is if an animal is suffering and the issue is quality of life. If this little kitten can survive then it should be allowed to enjoy a loving home. However, we sincerely hope that all the kittens and the mom cat will be sterilized as there is no need to let pets breed when so many cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters because there are more animals pets than space in the shelter or available homes. Good luck little kitten and to all those who are writing such mean comments, may the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits!

AH

22/11/2008

So is this a Siamese (excuse the punn) twin cat?

Leanne

22/11/2008

yesterday i rang the vet to see how our little baby was progressing but discovered that the poor baby passed away. Hoping its gone to a better place and its time on earth was short but was love by its mummy and everyone else - poor baby RIP xx

jc

22/11/2008

This kittens made the headlines in England!
Bit disturbing to look at at first, but once you get used to the split faces it then becomes 'just another kitten'. As long as it's in good health and not in pain then there is no reason why it shouldn't be allowed to live a long, pampered life - just because it's unusual is no excuse to put it to sleep.
If the owners do make any money from charging people to look at the kitten/s then hopefully they will make a suitable donation to any local cat charities?

David

22/11/2008

norm normal you are heartless. if the world was like you i bet we would be putting down people who have things like aspergers. if you knew your wife or whoever was having conjoined twins would you order her to get an abortion to save you any embaresment. if the answers yes then you should be hunted down and beaten by cat lovers everywhere

Elaine

22/11/2008

I was born in 1960 with a congenital birth defect. I have 4 'normal' children, a grandson and another grandchild on the way. Yes the kitten is cute, but aren't all kittens/puppies/babies. I'm delighted it is doing so well and it should be encouraged to feed as the others in the litter will. If it internal organs will support it's needs as nature intends then it will survive, if not it should be left to pass away quietly and if distressed any necessary action should be taken to releive it's pain, be it analgesia or euthanasia. It would seem unkind and unproductive to interviene surgically and cause distress unless vetinary experts are sure it would survive and live a long and comfortable life. Yes, I know if it were human then we would go to the end of the earth to separate them so they can live independently. Happily the animal world isn't obsessed with appearance and complete functionality.

A hoax? Kittens don't purr untill they are 4/5 weeks old,the article suggests it is new.

Angela

22/11/2008

awwwwwwww bless its so cute and lovely
i think its beautiful i would love it like anything
so wot if its got 2faces its still gorgeous and normal
but i wouldnt call it quosi modo i think thats cruel
i would choose a different name for it thats normal
but i really really think it is so sweet and lovely i just want to
hold it and cuddle it and stroke it

lou

22/11/2008

aaaaaaaaaaah what a poor lil might hope god has good things in store for u my lil squishie mop u are totaly luvly the best luck in the world too u sweethearts

Trowy

22/11/2008

The little bugger can chew both of your slippers at the same time.. Quality stuff. Lets hope it brings some happines to it's owner..

0willow0

22/11/2008

okay kids settle down its just a cat.
to argue about killing it or not is pointless: its not your cat, its not your decision.
if you find one 'then' decide, until then shut up and find something better to argue about.

kristelia

22/11/2008

This is nothing new.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bNLOw_N7vro

Simon

21/11/2008

I want it. I want to love him and squeeze him and hold him and kiss him. I have two cats, found as strays whose mums and dads are most likely brothers and sisters going way back. They're not the fastest ships in her majesty's fleet but they're good for a laugh and seem to be enjoying themselves.
It'll help Hugo to be amongst his kin.
Give me the cat.

Hayley

21/11/2008

Norm Normal, you've stated several times it should be euthanased, but have not provided justification for this statement. Just because something is unusual, doesn't make it wrong, or give it less of a right to live.. Since you seem to be asking others what they would do if they had a two headed baby/conjoined twins, what would YOU do? want it put down? No, I don't think so.

ducky

21/11/2008

just because it has a defect why kill it you wouldnt kill a human that has two heads (like that blonde girl in america one body two heads) and its not about making money yes it is something different and people are curious but it doesnt make it wrong. to destroy something because it doesnt look right is a horrible thing to suggest and whos to say its sufferring its eating and drinking and so far is surviving. And yes in the wild it would more than likely die so what about all the orphaned animals out there that get rescued by humans i suppose they should have just be left there to die as well. everything deserves a chance and if for one moment the owners or vets thought this little kitty was in pain they would put it to sleep. its a mirricle that it has survived they have done a brilliant job.

Trish

21/11/2008

there was a a two faced kitten almost identical in the way the faces are positioned back in february this year

Jez (Sydney)

21/11/2008

For gods sake will someone wring its neck and put it out of its misery, and put an end to this freak show.

A birth defect is not cute, the folk that think it is a cute need to get a life, and visit a home for the mentally and physically disabled from birth, surely you wouldn't say a baby born with 2 heads was cute, so why for gods sake would a cat with 2 heads be cute?

Talk about inbreeds you folk in Perth, are something else, I think you've all lived too long in isolation in the West. Get a grip its not the 18th century where freaks were something to admire, or perhaps it is still the 18th century in Perth.

Felix

21/11/2008

Well at least two heads = two mouths, which = tongues, one to lick its arse with and one to lick your face with arhhhhhhhhh how cute - I think not.

Norm is right it should have been put down at birth

Beverley

21/11/2008

I do hope the little fella survives - but I don't like the heading "freak".

Norm Normal

21/11/2008

Matty

I am neither or a "fool" nor a "looser", and I am certainly not "old". Puerile I maybe but not "purile" whatever you meant by that?

I take it if you were to give birth to a TWO HEADED BABY, you would inform the press and sell the photographs, and open your home for viewings of the FREAK at a price? This whole kitten freak show smacks of dollars to be made both personally and through the press and other media. I thought the people of Perth had matured to a level of intelligence beyond that of circus freak shows, obviously not, and you seem to be the first one pushing in the crowd of morons to grab a glimpse of the freak at the circus. What next a return to exhibits of human freaks at the travelling circus?

The facts are this, the kitten is a FREAK OF NATURE, and in the wild it would not have survived, evolution favours the survival of the fittest, [except in your case Matty], and the kindest thing to do would be to destroy it

Matty P

21/11/2008

To the kitty and it's owners - I wish it all the best, what a beautiful little sweet heart.

Norman normal - I cannot see how you are in a position to talk about this beautiful little darling kitten being put down for having a deformity clearly not adversly affecting it's way of life when such a besotted, purile old fool has been allowed to live so long when it's clear your tiny little brain can't comprehend the idea that something different is allowed to live and be loved just because it's not normal

Thank goodness miserable losers like yourself taking their frustration at life out on others are in a minority, or I think there's a good chance the world would be in even worse shape than it is now.

Also, those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. The fact that you think you're in a position to speculate how other may look is more of an insight into yourself than a peanut like you could ever fathom.

Please do us a favor - crawl back under

Norm Normal

21/11/2008

MelMel 21/11/2008 says "Norm Norman ........ shut your mouth your old fart!!!!! It is so cute..."

Mel Mel

I'd rather be a boring old fart than a voyeuristic ghoul at a freak show like you. One thing is for sure, cute you aint Mel, perhaps you would think it to give birth to a 2 headed baby yourself Mel. When you do please let us know when you are having an open house so we can all gawk at the freak show.

The owners of this kitten should be ashamed of themselves it should have been put down at birth.

ducky

21/11/2008

what a little cutie you do have to look twice though at the little fella. i dont know why people think it is suffering in any way just because it is deformed it doesnt know any better. if he/she doesnt seem to be hurting and is healthy, eating and drinking then why not let it live a cats life and do what they do best. :-) good luck to the owners and well done to BOTH THE VETS (george and louisa).

MelMel

21/11/2008

Norm Norman ........ shut your mouth your old fart!!!!!
It is so cute, I hope it lives a long happy life!!!

Kin

21/11/2008

I hear that this kitty is starting to struggle and may not survive. If it doesn't, at least it was given a chance, and in its short life was loved by its mother and many people all around the world. Best of luck little kitten(s)!

Norm Norman

21/11/2008

I suppose all those that think a 2 headed kitten is so wonderful and cute, and admire the photographs, would do the same if they had a TWO HEADED BABY.

The kitten should have been gased at birth and its body incinerated, this has become nothing more than sick minded people gawking at a freak show.

What next, $5 for photos of your TWO HEADED BABY, and $50 to come to your house and gawk at your TWO HEADED BABY. Whats the difference a freak show is a freak show, trust the people of Perth to turn it into a circus!

Darren (New Zealand)

21/11/2008

I'd like to say we had a two headed kitten born about 8-9 years ago,but diddn't survive... The vet had never seen anything like it before in his 30 year experience, and thought it might of been craul to keep it allive.... we kept it a few years in the freezer so people would belive us. It was pritty cool thing to have, would have been better if it had surrvived...... Good luck with your two headed kittin

MediaDude

21/11/2008

The warning signs of Global Warming continue to be ignored...

cat haven

21/11/2008

Wonderfully cute, we can only hope that that it is not suffering at all.

IF YOU WANT TO SAVE A CAT OR KITTEN.....

http://www.cathaven.com.au/

Norm Normal

21/11/2008

Absolutely REVOLTING

The kitten should have been put down [euthansed] at birth

It is nothing more than a FREAK at circus now

gloria

21/11/2008

don't call it a freek it sound horrible it is a dear little life I do hope it has a normal and long life with its family

Liam

21/11/2008

does it have 9 lives or 18 lives

Meg

21/11/2008

HOW ADORABLE! It is definitely the cutest little creature I have ever seen. I hope its mummy is doing well and she won't reject her new baby. I always thought my little kitten was loud... imagine this little baby with 2 mouths!

Bec

21/11/2008

the sweetest thing! i love it

Nat

21/11/2008

He is such a cute little thing, as long as he is fit and healthy let him live a happy normal life.

Cat Reneé

21/11/2008

An adorable little thing, naming it Janus would be fair I belive. It's different, I don't deny that, but I believe it is one of the cutest things I've ever seen, and I've worked with animals all my life. The little things is soo sweet looking. I have three cats of my own, I hope it lives a long and healthy life with a loving family.

Anne Vapaa

21/11/2008

Concratulations! Love him - or them! After some weeks you realize if you have one cat or two!

Diana

21/11/2008

I've had cats my entire life, and that sweetie is about the cutest thing I have ever seen! I hope it lives a long and healthy and happy life as someone's beloved pet. Don't name it Quasimodo, though. It needs a name as special as it is! How about Janus - the Greek two-faced god of beginnings and endings!

Nathan

21/11/2008

Please don't call it Quasi Modo!

Ade

21/11/2008

Cute - How about Kitu, as in Kit-two...

Andrew

21/11/2008

Cerberus was a three headed dog so maybe they should call this kit cat-r-us!

mcgoo

20/11/2008

Hey that's really weird ... it's got pointy ears!

Why don't they call it Spock ??

Bloggs

20/11/2008

This is not amazing - it is just a Canberra politician with fur! After all, Canberra is full of two faced humans, what is so strange about a two faced cat!

I just love cats, but I don't think I could eat a whole one....

Another Vet Nurse

20/11/2008

Just to let everybody know that the mother is very proud of her kitten and she treats it the same as the other kittens of the litter. I also find it so funny seeing everybody's reponse especialy those who think the photo is fake. I hope for the mother and the owner that the kitten does survive, but only time will tell. Some times we need a little bit of a miricale in our lives. oxox
P.S the vet thinks it has only has one brain which it is why it moves the two faces at the same time.

Bec

20/11/2008

theV: there have been 2 kittens born in the US with two faces.
And no they are not photo shopped. i have seen this beautiful kitten for myself, im friends with the owner of him.
Hes not mutant hes just different.
xx xx

skfg76

20/11/2008

So Cute, I hope the kitten lives a full life :)

me

20/11/2008

ITS A FREAK - EAT IT!

Jokes, i think its cool, wish i had a 3 headed rottweiler

dawn

20/11/2008

awwww its sooo totally adorable ,i want it i want it !!!!
i hope the cute little thing lives a full and happy life
i dont think they should be calling it a freak tho
congrats to the more than happy owners please keep informed as to its health gl in the future

Stephen

20/11/2008

A two faced pussy!! I know a few people like that...

Jemma

20/11/2008

This kitten is adorable. Leave it alone. Its not a mutant, its a healthy young kitten. Wish i had one!

jess

20/11/2008

If its not in pain and has a chance of survival let it live. dont take away its chance. if it was my kitten id love it every second of every day with all my heart.

NickX

20/11/2008

OMG you Photoshop shouting debunkers are so lame - I freaking KNow the photographer Matthew Poon. He is a real person. This photo is real.

bear

20/11/2008

also if it's having problems living then just take more care of it or make sure it has someone that can look after it. it deserves to live like a normal cat

bear

20/11/2008

if it's perfectly healthy you should just keep it and look after it as if it was just an ordinary kitten... only if it had some major problem that it would die of then u should probly put it down... but it doesnt... so dont make a freak out of it. its so cute and adorable :]

davo

20/11/2008

Two-faced? Must be female.

kim

20/11/2008

who says that it will suffer it is to young to tell it might be a really good pet can i have him

jenni

20/11/2008

they always say that two heads are better than one - i wouldnt give him back if he was mine - too cute. why put it down anon that is cruel if it can live a perfectly normal live - you wouldnt do the same to your child if it was born with two heads i hope!!!!

Jo

20/11/2008

I would love to know how this gorgeous little thing gets on in life - can you put a video up anywhere of it meowing etc etc - so cute

Vet Nurse

20/11/2008

Quote "Veterinarian George Huber and nurse Louisa Burgess delivered the kitten"
I think you will find that Louisa Burgess is not a nurse but another Veterinarian who works there.

Debbie Campbell

20/11/2008

Little Daling/s all the best love Debbie

Fiona

20/11/2008

WOW - what a rare and interesting little kitten. My kids and i think its gorgeous. We hope it lives a long and happy life, and may the owners of this cat have many years of love and enjoyment from their special pet!

Ron from Albany Creek

20/11/2008

Quick, send him to Canberra!
The place is full of two faced pollies..

jackie m

20/11/2008

i have just read some of the comments about the dear little thing and i have had my say but there are some rotten people out there i am sure he will [and hope so] thet he as a full and happy life

Gwen Kerrison

20/11/2008

Which Wednesday was it born? Very large for a one day old kitten!!!

Owen

20/11/2008

So cute and yet disturbing. I hope it is healthy and happy, but the odds are bad. How many brains are in that little head? How are the eyes connected up? Can the cleft palette be corrected? We can just hope .. but I hate to have to make the tough choices if it doesn't turn out well :(

laura terhoeve

20/11/2008

Can I PLEASE say to all those pessimistic people out there, these photos are genuine and are "sadly" authentic, taken by our very own photographer Matthew.

Noreen

20/11/2008

Why do people automatically think anything out of the norm should be put down? The owner is happy to keep it, and will boviously love this dear little scrap of the animal kingdom. most probably will give double the pleasure and love.

Cat lover

20/11/2008

Poor little thing. I hope it survives, as long as it is not in any pain. But look at how well many human co-joined twins have functioned and lived happy lives. If it is not in pain, and it has a kind and worthy owner, this little cat may have a long and healthy life. P.S. Had it been a different breed of cat, it could have been siamese siamese twins!

theV

20/11/2008

Interestingly, the Sun news paper are running the same story but state it was born in USA

I think it was born in Photoshop.

Editor's note: A different two-faced cat unfortunately. And we can assure all of our readers that the image has not been digitally altered in any way.

leanne

20/11/2008

bless the little darling soul, may it have a special and happy life - after all it is very unique and I would have it if no one wanted it, i am sure it would love my other 5 cats and have a happy home with us.

Maggie Green

20/11/2008

Leonardo da Vinci said "Even the smallest feline is a masterpiece". However much I adore cats (I have 5 adopted masterpieces), a part of me can't help feeling that even the vet doesn't know if tis kitten/s is suffering and thus a humane and loving thing to do, may be to send it into the arms of the angels.

Stacey

20/11/2008

Heather - why say such a thing? The reprt say that the cat appears to be healthy.....Hope it lives a long happy life!

heather

20/11/2008

Yes it may be cute, but sort of life is the poor thing going to have I know what I would be doing.

Newsted_87

20/11/2008

hahaha great name suggestion Mark :)

Michael Monikowski

20/11/2008

This picture does not look authentic. It looks like a computerized images put together.

mark

20/11/2008

That is amazing!
I have seen similar pictures on the web but never heard of something like that happening here in Perth.

I just wonder what quality of life it will have and if it will be in any sort of pain?

As for a name, what about Zaphod Beeblebrox?