Pepé’s “strange” look is what drew Shea Daspin and Joshua Tucker to the 1-year-old shelter cat. Pepé has wispy fur on various parts of his body, including his face, back, and tail, and is partially hairless like a sphynx cat.

“He was half sphynx and looked like a real weirdo, exactly like us,” Daspin said to The Dodo. “It was love at first sight,” she says.

Someone found Pepé and his two sisters, Tulip and Iris, wandering the streets of Denton, Texas, in February and brought them to the City of Denton Animal Shelter.

“They were found coated in fleas and mud, and had been eating rubbish to feed themselves,” Nicole Lopez, the City of Denton’s animal control officer, told The Dodo. “After they were vetted and placed for adoption, all three of them spent a month here.”

According to Lopez, Pepé was already quite cautious in comparison to Tulip and Iris. But after Pepé’s sisters were adopted, he became even more reserved. “[He] was always the most bashful of the three, which is why no one ever came or showed interest,” Lopez explained.

Pepé may not have piqued the curiosity of the locals, but he did pique the interest of Daspin and Tucker, who live nearly 1,500 miles away in New York City.

Daspin and Tucker have two more cats, Iggy, a 5-year-old sphynx, and Spud, an orange tabby. They’d just lost their cat Elsa, though, and were looking to expand their feline family.

“The hunt began rather casually,” Tucker told The Dodo. “Every few days after work, we’d just browse PetFinder or local rescue sites on the couch.” We were clearly not in a hurry. We wanted to discover the ideal match.”

Then their gazes were drawn to Pepé’s photograph. Tucker described him as “a mishmash of different cat parts.” “It wasn’t really a question once we looked over his photos and read that he was nice with other cats.”

They didn’t spend any time. Daspin and Tucker were on their way to Texas the next day.

“When we arrived and met him, we fell in love,” Tucker explained. “After only a few minutes, he pressed his head into our palms and began to purr.” We knew he was going home with us from that moment.”

Pepé behaved well on the journey to New York, and he rapidly adjusted to his new surroundings. “It’s been so great to watch him grow from a shy, terrified shelter cat to the gregarious man he is now,” Tucker said. “I also appreciate how well he’s bonded with us.” I’ve rarely seen such a trustworthy and kind cat.”

Pepé also gets along well with his new siblings, especially Iggy.

“Iggy has really taken Pepé under his wing like a younger brother and loves to chase him around the house and groom him as he sleeps,” Daspin explained. “Pepé is always following him around to see what he’s up to.” Spud is known as their wise elder since he is a more calm cat who like to watch the other two play. Pepé respects him space yet enjoys sunbathing with him.”

Tucker stated, “He [Pepé] absolutely loves everyone and everything.” “I’ve never seen a rescue cat accept new siblings with such zeal.”

Daspin and Tucker, on the other hand, are unsure what type of cat Pepé is. While the shelter identified him as a sphynx mix, some believe he is half Donskoy or a Peterbald mix.

“He’s most likely a cross between a few of other cats and potentially previous generations of sphynx cats,” Daspin explained. “He might be a genetic mutation, but… we can’t find a conclusive answer.”

“It’s become quite evident… that no one has ever seen something like him,” Tucker added.

Pepé, however, appears to have become “fluffier,” according to Tucker. “Not necessarily more fur, but it’s almost as if his hair simply stands out in every direction,” he explained. “I believe his hair will continue to vary with the seasons and as he ages.” We heard a story about a cat who lost and regrows fur in unusual patterns every time.”

Regardless of how much fur Pepé develops or does not develop, Daspin and Tucker are convinced of one thing: he is ideal for their family, and rescuing him was one of the best things they ever did.

“Pepé has brought our family back together,” Tucker remarked. “Of course, no one ever truly ‘moves on’ after the loss of a pet, but what better way to honor her memory than to give another animal in need a home and a chance?”

Link to Paws Daily