Lobo the Lykoi cat is sick of people saying he has mange or a skin condition.
He is not sick, like some of you internet bullies may say. He is sickening.
Two-year-old Lobo is actually a very rare breed of cat, which gives him the werewolf look that some people find objectionable (but that we find adorable).
His owner Talana Potgieter, 35, has helped him hit back at the haters with a beautiful photoshoot, where he can show off his individuality for us all to marvel at.
The adorable kitty from South Africa gets his unique look from a mutation which occurs naturally and means his body is only partially covered with hair.
Lobo’s breed – Lykoi – is very new, and was officially recognised in 2012.
Lykoi cats are known for looking like tiny werewolves due to incomplete hair follicles and the absence of an undercoat.
‘The Lykoi breed is a very new and extremely rare breed,’ says Talana.
‘It is a natural mutation from a domestic shorthair cat, which gives them a werewolf-like appearance.
‘A few months after we adopted our Sphynx cat Dobby, there was a natural mutation Lykoi found in Cape Town.
‘We spoke to Dobby’s breeder to find out if she had ever heard of a Lykoi, and she told us that she just started breeding with them.
‘We couldn’t believe it, as there were only five breeders in the world at that time.
As soon as she and husband, Martin Potgieter, 37, spotted Lobo, it was love at first sight.
Talana said: ‘His personality is that of a cat mixed with a monkey and mixed with a dog.
‘There are different reactions when people see him for the first time, from confused to scared to curious to in love.
‘Some people think he has mange or is sick or has another kind of skin condition.’
To show him off to the world, professional photographer Martin took these stunning snaps of Lobo, and the couple regularly post pictures of him and his roommate Dobby.
Despite the odd keyboard warrior, Lobo is a big hit with some, and the two cats’ account has over 51,000 followers.
So, to everyone who thought of being mean to this beautiful creature: Jealousy is a disease, get well soon.
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