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While cats have a variety of breeds and coats, pink is not a natural colour among them. Nevertheless, several instances of pink cats have been reported by the media, sometimes as a result of interference with chemicals or dyes rather than any natural genetics. Additionally, several fictional pink cats have been used in popular culture.
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Real-life incidents
In September 2005, a cat, Brumas, briefly left his owners in Launceston, Cornwall, and returned with his fur coloured pink. The cause of the colour change was not identified, but Brumas was examined by the RSPCA and found to have no toxins.
In September 2010, a cat with dyed pink fur was discovered in Swindon. The RSPCA called the dyeing a "sick prank" and were unable to wash the colour out of the cat's fur, though no side-effects were observed. The event made worldwide news, before the owner came forward and said the cat had been dyed pink using food colouring because she was a fan of the colour. She said the act "seemed like a good idea. I always wanted a pink animal – a bit like my hair" and insisted she read the instructions carefully, knowing that the colouring could not be toxic as it was intended for human consumption. The RSPCA later confirmed they would not press charges.
In May 2011, four kittens were found abandoned in a concrete factory in Redruth, Cornwall, one of which had pink fur. The charity Cats Protection attempted to wash out the colour with shampoo, but were unsuccessful.
In 2010, a report showed pollution from the Port Talbot Steelworks in Wales had turned cats both grey and pink.
Cats having pinkish patches can be found in Bulgaria. The color is probably the result of a genetic mutation and is very close to orange. They are usually pink-white bicolor; or pink-Russian Blue-white or pink-black-white calico cats.
In fiction
The Pink Panther is a cartoon character created by Friz Freleng. As well as featuring in the opening titles of the films starring Peter Sellers, he has appeared in spin-off cartoon series. Animation historian Jerry Beck has said the character is "anti-authority – he's cool yet he's pink".
The title character of the children's television series Bagpuss was a pink cat. The puppet used for animation was originally supposed to be marmalade, but was dyed pink accidentally during the manufacturing process. Another children's television series, Roobarb and Custard featured a pink cat, Custard. Creator Grange Calveley based Custard's mannerisms on Sid James.
In 2014, Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman created a 30-foot (9.1 m) tall pink cat as part of an exhibition in Century Park, Shanghai.