Welcome to Cat Care Society

We’re a free-roaming cat shelter founded in 1981 to improve the quality of life for cats in need. Our unique approach views all cats as worthy, regardless of their age or abilities.

View our adoptable animals today!

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Our Mission

To be a safe and enriching place for all cats on their journey to a loving home. We do this by providing compassionate care, shelter, adoption services and community engagement.
A tabby cat named Pippa

Meet

Pippa

Lonely Hearts Club Member

Pippa has been with CCS longer than any of our other adoptable cats. She lives in our admin building, where she gets all the attention she desires—or doesn’t! A quirky girl, Pippa loves to play, drink water by dipping her paw, steal your chair the moment you step away, and will never let you forget when it’s dinner time.

Person wearing a blue volunteer t-shirt holding an orange cat

Volunteer

Get involved by giving back! We have many volunteer roles available to help support the cats in our shelter. A few hours can make a world of difference.

Foster

Open up your home by caring for a cat in need and reap an incredibly rewarding experience. You help them thrive; we’ll take care of the rest.

Adopt

Save a life and find your new best friend while opening up more space in the shelter. After picking out your purrfect match, apply to adopt!

Upcoming Events

September 20, 2025

Tails of the Painted Cats

December 7, 2024

Santa Paws

October 26, 2024

Seminar: Clicker Training Your Cats

September 28, 2024

Seminar: The Benefits of Play

August 24, 2024

Seminar: Keeping Senior Cats Healthy & Young

July 27, 2024

Seminar: Resolving Litter Box Issues

July 26, 2024

Summer Art Auction (Online)

June 22, 2024

Seminar: Building a Better Bond with Your Kitty

June 22, 2024

CCS @ Denver PrideFest

August 13, 2023

Free Adoption Event & Thrift Shop: Clear the Shelters

The Whisker Whisper Blog

tri-color cat
October 7, 2024

Tri-color Cats: Tortoiseshell, Calico, and Everything In Between!

Introduction

With Halloween approaching, it’s the perfect time to spotlight a particular type of cat—and no, we’re not talking about black cats! Instead, we’re focusing on tri-color cats, whose coats feature a mix of black, orange, and white in varying patterns and ratios. While “tri-color” and “calico” are often used interchangeably, calico cats have a distinct coat pattern. Tortoiseshell cats are also considered tri-color, even though they usually lack white and have their own unique pattern. It’s important to remember that “calico” and “tortoiseshell” refer to coat patterns, not breeds. These color combinations are the result of genetics and can appear in any breed, though they are more commonly found in breeds like American Shorthair, British Shorthair, Japanese Bobtail, Maine Coon, and Persian.

There are also diluted and tabby variations of tortoiseshell and calico cats—so many colorful kitties to love! In the rest of this article, we’ll explore the different markings and patterns that define each type of tri-color coat. By the end, you’ll be able to recognize the unique beauty of every tri-color cat you encounter.

Tri-color Cat Genetics

Tri-color cats are almost always female, with approximately one in 3,000 being male. This is because two X chromosomes are needed to have a distinctive tri-color coat. Typically, if a cat has an XX pair, she will be female. Male cats have an XY chromosome pair, so they’re not tri-color unless they have at least one extra chromosome (XXY). Unfortunately, these males often suffer from Klinefelter’s Syndrome, a condition that can negatively affect their health and longevity.

Calico Cats and Their Variations

Calico cat coats feature patches of solid orange, black, and white. The white color is a result of a genetic condition called piebalding, which occurs in a range of other domestic and farm animals. In a diluted calico, the colors are more muted to cream, gray, and white, due to a gene inherited from one of the parents that diminishes color intensity.

Calico cat and diluted calico
Calico cat and diluted calico

“Tabico” is a term for cats that have a combination of tabby and calico markings. These cats have large patches of orange and black on a white background, with tabby stripes overlaying some of the black and orange areas. When tabby stripes cover the forehead, they form the distinctive “tabby M.” A diluted tabico’s coat features cream, gray, and white fur.

Tabico cat, combination calico and tabby
Tabico cat, note the “tabby M” across the forehead

Tortoiseshell Cats and Their Variations

Tortoiseshell, or “tortie,” cats have brindle patterns (irregular stripes or streaks) of orange and black with little to no white. A diluted tortie has gray and cream colors and is a result of both parents carrying a recessive gene that impacts the intensity of the colors.

tortoiseshell cat, diluted tortoiseshell cat
Tortoiseshell cat and a diluted tortie

A torbie cat exhibits both the multi-colored brindle pattern of a tortoiseshell cat and the characteristic stripes or spots of a tabby. Like the tabico, if there are tabby stripes on the cat’s forehead, they will display the “tabby M.” Diluted torbies usually have a cream, gray and white coat.

Tortico: A Unique Blend

A “tortico” is a combination of classic tortie and calico markings, featuring large patches of orange and black brindling on a white background. A diluted tortico is relatively rare, and will be gray and cream, and white.

combination calico and tortoiseshell cat
Tortico cat

Closing and Final Fun Facts!

As you can see, there are many variations of tri-color cats but you can still count yourself lucky if you run into one! In many cultures tri-color cats are connected with good luck and good fortune, and in the U.S., they are sometimes called “money cats.”

People who have tri-color cats often report that they’re equally sweet and sassy and tortoiseshell cat owners often refer to their feisty side as having “tortitude.” However, since tri-color cats aren’t a breed, research hasn’t been able to confirm that this extra feistiness is a distinct trait related to their coat pattern. That said, if you haven’t taken our “Whats Your Cat Purrsonality” quiz on our Just Fur Fun page, now’s your chance! Discover which cat breed or color pattern best represents you—maybe even find out if you have a bit of tortitude!”

About the Author: Beth Dokolasa is a volunteer for Cat Care Society and serves on the Board of Directors. She is an instructional developer for Natural Grocers and lives in Indian Hills, Colo., with her husband, daughter, and two cats, Techno and Digit. 

before picture of cat wrapped in towel upset and after picture of cat cuddling with adopter
September 25, 2024

Grumpy Cat, Happy Ending: Scrunkly’s Story

From his tough exterior to his numerous medical conditions, Scrunkly’s journey has been anything but ordinary. But with a bit of patience and a lot of love, he’s proof that every cat deserves a chance and has a home.
a cat scratches itself with text overlay that says "A guide to allergies in cats"
September 6, 2024

A Guide to Cat Allergies: Symptoms, Solutions & The Shelter Approach

Is your cat scratching too much? Allergies could be the culprit! Learn the single most common symptom, types of allergies and how to take care of your itchy kitty.
tri-color cat
October 7, 2024

Tri-color Cats: Tortoiseshell, Calico, and Everything In Between!

Introduction

With Halloween approaching, it’s the perfect time to spotlight a particular type of cat—and no, we’re not talking about black cats! Instead, we’re focusing on tri-color cats, whose coats feature a mix of black, orange, and white in varying patterns and ratios. While “tri-color” and “calico” are often used interchangeably, calico cats have a distinct coat pattern. Tortoiseshell cats are also considered tri-color, even though they usually lack white and have their own unique pattern. It’s important to remember that “calico” and “tortoiseshell” refer to coat patterns, not breeds. These color combinations are the result of genetics and can appear in any breed, though they are more commonly found in breeds like American Shorthair, British Shorthair, Japanese Bobtail, Maine Coon, and Persian.

There are also diluted and tabby variations of tortoiseshell and calico cats—so many colorful kitties to love! In the rest of this article, we’ll explore the different markings and patterns that define each type of tri-color coat. By the end, you’ll be able to recognize the unique beauty of every tri-color cat you encounter.

Tri-color Cat Genetics

Tri-color cats are almost always female, with approximately one in 3,000 being male. This is because two X chromosomes are needed to have a distinctive tri-color coat. Typically, if a cat has an XX pair, she will be female. Male cats have an XY chromosome pair, so they’re not tri-color unless they have at least one extra chromosome (XXY). Unfortunately, these males often suffer from Klinefelter’s Syndrome, a condition that can negatively affect their health and longevity.

Calico Cats and Their Variations

Calico cat coats feature patches of solid orange, black, and white. The white color is a result of a genetic condition called piebalding, which occurs in a range of other domestic and farm animals. In a diluted calico, the colors are more muted to cream, gray, and white, due to a gene inherited from one of the parents that diminishes color intensity.

Calico cat and diluted calico
Calico cat and diluted calico

“Tabico” is a term for cats that have a combination of tabby and calico markings. These cats have large patches of orange and black on a white background, with tabby stripes overlaying some of the black and orange areas. When tabby stripes cover the forehead, they form the distinctive “tabby M.” A diluted tabico’s coat features cream, gray, and white fur.

Tabico cat, combination calico and tabby
Tabico cat, note the “tabby M” across the forehead

Tortoiseshell Cats and Their Variations

Tortoiseshell, or “tortie,” cats have brindle patterns (irregular stripes or streaks) of orange and black with little to no white. A diluted tortie has gray and cream colors and is a result of both parents carrying a recessive gene that impacts the intensity of the colors.

tortoiseshell cat, diluted tortoiseshell cat
Tortoiseshell cat and a diluted tortie

A torbie cat exhibits both the multi-colored brindle pattern of a tortoiseshell cat and the characteristic stripes or spots of a tabby. Like the tabico, if there are tabby stripes on the cat’s forehead, they will display the “tabby M.” Diluted torbies usually have a cream, gray and white coat.

Tortico: A Unique Blend

A “tortico” is a combination of classic tortie and calico markings, featuring large patches of orange and black brindling on a white background. A diluted tortico is relatively rare, and will be gray and cream, and white.

combination calico and tortoiseshell cat
Tortico cat

Closing and Final Fun Facts!

As you can see, there are many variations of tri-color cats but you can still count yourself lucky if you run into one! In many cultures tri-color cats are connected with good luck and good fortune, and in the U.S., they are sometimes called “money cats.”

People who have tri-color cats often report that they’re equally sweet and sassy and tortoiseshell cat owners often refer to their feisty side as having “tortitude.” However, since tri-color cats aren’t a breed, research hasn’t been able to confirm that this extra feistiness is a distinct trait related to their coat pattern. That said, if you haven’t taken our “Whats Your Cat Purrsonality” quiz on our Just Fur Fun page, now’s your chance! Discover which cat breed or color pattern best represents you—maybe even find out if you have a bit of tortitude!”

About the Author: Beth Dokolasa is a volunteer for Cat Care Society and serves on the Board of Directors. She is an instructional developer for Natural Grocers and lives in Indian Hills, Colo., with her husband, daughter, and two cats, Techno and Digit. 

before picture of cat wrapped in towel upset and after picture of cat cuddling with adopter
September 25, 2024

Grumpy Cat, Happy Ending: Scrunkly’s Story

From his tough exterior to his numerous medical conditions, Scrunkly’s journey has been anything but ordinary. But with a bit of patience and a lot of love, he’s proof that every cat deserves a chance and has a home.
a cat scratches itself with text overlay that says "A guide to allergies in cats"
September 6, 2024

A Guide to Cat Allergies: Symptoms, Solutions & The Shelter Approach

Is your cat scratching too much? Allergies could be the culprit! Learn the single most common symptom, types of allergies and how to take care of your itchy kitty.

Open Hours

Thurs-Mon: 12pm–6pm
Tues–Weds: Closed
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