Dapper ginger Gemini probably went through several of his lives before he was 6 months old! Last winter his original people gave him to a barn home where he wasn’t safe and the resident dogs repeatedly chased him away. A kind neighbor finally found him after 2 weeks and brought him into safety.
Despite being sweet, full of charm and affectionate to everyone in the home, Gemini had a persistent issue: he couldn’t stop urine marking throughout the house—even after being neutered.
His family tried everything recommended by veterinarians and behaviorists, but there were still outside cats and dogs which terrified him. How does a young cat who’s never felt safe claim his territory? He marks to let them know he lives there too.
Eventually, with heavy hearts, they made the difficult decision to bring him to the shelter. That made Gemini one of our Litterbox Lab cats. We gave him a room to let him tell us if he had any specific litterbox preferences.
He was very sweet, chirping to his friends and making air biscuits, but he continued to mark outside his litter box. Our staff noticed something odd—his urine had an unusually strong odor, far more intense than what’s typical for a neutered cat. This raised a red flag.
Our veterinarian suspected that the problem might not be purely behavioral after all, but potentially medical. To be sure, she performed exploratory surgery to confirm that Gemini had been fully neutered.
That’s when we discovered the surprise: Gemini had a third testicle, hidden in his abdomen. This rare condition, known as polyorchidism, can occur in male animals. When an extra testicle remains undetected and unremoved, the animal can continue producing hormones like an intact male. In Gemini’s case, that meant ongoing territorial urine marking—even though he technically had been neutered.
After the surgery to remove the retained testicle, something amazing happened: Gemini stopped marking almost immediately. Within days, he was consistently using his litter box and showing no signs of his previous behavior.
Soon after, Gemini was adopted by Christy, one of our wonderful volunteers. In his new forever home, he’s thriving—affectionate, playful, always ready for cuddles and companionship.
Christy tells us, “Gemini has been settling in beautifully and is such a joy to have around. His big brother, Cash, has taken on the role of snuggle buddy, while his slightly smaller (but much feistier) sister, Jolene, is his nonstop playmate. It’s been so fun watching their bond grow—he fits right in like he’s always been part of the crew.
Gemini continues to be a total gentleman and takes cues from his siblings with ease. One of his many new nicknames is Mr. Purr because, well, he’s a purring machine! Whether it’s cuddle time or chasing toys around the house, he’s always ready for action (or affection!).
He’s also growing fast—now a lean, strong 10.8 pounds of pure kitty muscle!
Thank you again for all that you do and for allowing me to bring this sweet soul into my home.”
Gemini’s litterbox success story is a powerful reminder that behavioral issues in cats can sometimes stem from underlying medical conditions.
If your cat is exhibiting unusual behavior, especially related to the litter box, don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian. A thorough check-up may reveal something unexpected—and potentially life-changing for your cat.
