Someone In Alberta Is Shaving Kittens And Selling Them As Hairless Sphynx Cats

The cats grew back their hair within weeks.

This is a sphynx cat, a naturally hairless breed that looks endearingly like a little old person.

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And this poor thing is a regular cat that someone in Alberta allegedly shaved so they could sell it for the high price a sphynx cat can fetch.

Shaniya Yung / THE CANADIAN PRESS

As first reported by CBC News, this particular cat, named Vlad, was purchased by a woman in Red Deer, Alberta, for $700. The seller on the classifieds site Kijiji had advertised Vlad as a sphynx cat, but something was clearly off.

The woman, who declined to be interviewed by BuzzFeed News, told CBC the tiny kitten had cuts on its skin, which a vet said were likely caused by either a razor or hair removal cream.

It turned out Vlad was actually a tabby cat, and before long his hair grew back.

Jeff Mcintosh / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Another woman, Shayla Bastarache, paid $650 for a "sphynx" kitten from Kijiji and ended up with this handsome little tuxedo cat instead.

Jeff Mcintosh / THE CANADIAN PRESS

She told the Canadian Press that the kitten, Moofasa, also had wounds on his body and that his hair started growing back within two weeks.

Moofasa is now safe and sound with Bastarache's two genuine sphynx cats, but she told the Canadian Press she's heard from two other people who also got caught in the scam.

Jeff Mcintosh / THE CANADIAN PRESS

The Alberta SPCA says the seller was likely motivated by money, since sphynx kittens can sell for $1,000 or more.

Jeff Mcintosh / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Spokesperson Roland Lines told BuzzFeed Canada they first received a call about the scam on Nov. 18 and have since been able to get in touch with buyers.

"Our investigation will look to establish what harm the cats experienced from the hair removal, as well as evidence about people who were involved in the procedure," said Lines. "Depending on our findings, we would consider laying charges under Alberta’s Animal Protection Act of causing or allowing an animal to be in distress."

The maximum fine for that charge is $20,000 and a judge could also prohibit someone found guilty from owning animals.

"If you want to be sure you’re not giving money to a criminal, it’s best to adopt from a humane society," said Lines. "Don’t meet a stranger in a parking lot and hand them cash for a cat."