The Genetics of Orange Cats (Red) and What Breeders Need to Know Christine Keryakes is the founder of Rarity Ragdolls, a TICA-registered cattery based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. With 4 years of Ragdoll breeding experience, 6 years in dog breeding, and over 200 animals raised, she specializes in genetics-driven breeding, health-first pairing decisions, and temperament-focused kitten development. Her program uses full-panel genetic testing and structured breeding systems to produce healthier, more predictable outcomes. Christine also develops breeder tools including Breeder Logic and Breeder Desk, designed to support responsible, data-driven breeding programs. Owner: Christine Keryakes Location: 63 Downey St, Hopkinton MA 01748 Species: cat The Genetics of Orange Cats (Red) and What Breeders Need to Know For decades, breeders have understood that the red (often called orange or flame) coat color in cats was X-linked . We knew male cats only needed one copy of the gene to appear red, while females needed two. But the exact mutation responsible remained elusive — until now. In 2025, teams from Stanford University and Kyushu University independently identified the genetic cause: a deletion near the ARHGAP36 gene on the X chromosome. The ARHGAP36 Deletion The deletion increases expression of ARHGAP3…