Pictures and story from China
Tom cats in Sichuan province in southern China have sprouted wing-like growths on their backs, which locals are attributing to the hot summer weather and the romantic attentions of females. 
Could be worse, the day cats start sprouting opposable thumbs we’ll be doomed.
Which is… ?
The article doesn’t say. I’ve never heard of this happening before. There are just as many cats in America as there are in China so I’d think it would happen over here too if this was real. I say hoax.
The calico cat pictured in the article probably isn’t a tom, as most calico are female.
The article says it could be poor grooming, a genetic thing or a skin condition. Sounds gross, but if cats were actually flying we’d be in much more trouble.
If cats could fly they 'd look like this!
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen the first picture in the article before. > 1 year
Hoax.
Maybe hoax, or maybe mutation. You know, that one tomcat from photos from previous years got some luck with the ladies and now there is a breeding population of mutant cats in China.
Oh, and IMHO totally bogus.
Cat wings are a fairly common rarity. Reports of cat wings go way back. Sometimes they are just matted fur, which eventually falls off, in other case it is some sort of skin growth. In no case do they have muscles, or opposable thumbs.
Now if Sarah Palin could shoot a cat with wings from an airplane …
Ale, I have some bad news…
My cat Yogi is a polydactyl with thumbs. Fortunately he hasn’t learned how to USE them yet…
As God as my witness, I thought furkitties could fly.
That’s awesome, SnakesCatLady! I love polydactyls. When I was a kid, we had this gorgeous big Maine Coon named Rufus who had “thumbs” and had figured out how to open doors. Someday, I hope to get another of the breed, which has a tendency towards polydactylism. Plus, they’re giant and fluffy, which is also rather fun. No wings, though.
I knew these books were not works of fiction.
I recall seeing that first picture quite a while ago as well, but I don’t think it’s a hoax or anything. In fact, this page documents those cats and many more, and offers some explanations for the condition. (Not sure I buy any of them though).
I have a theory that since there are more and more polydactyl kitties being born each year, which means their takeover is imminent!! I’m not kidding!
[goes off to stock up with tuna, donuts, milk-like substance, catnip and fluffy pillows for the coming of our Feline Overlords]
I just came here to post that. I LOVE those books!
Well, bummer… humanity´s been fun but all good things must come to an end.