This is one of those delightful little puzzles (from a constructor standpoint) that comes to you, comes together quickly, has little if any problems with the fill and has a fun twist. Now whether the solvers will see it that way is another story!
I'd put this as a Calico and it should not give you any trouble, but of course if it does I am usually available for nudges even before the actual Friday "Nudge Day"
My Testers were meg and lbray53 who both did a superb job in helping me see some problems and giving me a better title.
Kitten
CALICO
Persian
Puma
Lion
NUDGES:
Nudge 1] I have stopped giving away "banner nudges", but this one was made before that. Look at the graphic; isn't it really the same person in just a slightly different "configuration"?
Nudge 2] The theme answers are, more or less, symmetric
Nudge 3] There are 5 theme answers, as the prompt suggests
Nudge 4] As for hints, I can give you the lightest concerning the first "member"
Reveal:
Five "family" members that have the same makeup but in a slightly different order (i.e. deranged):
PALEST
PLATES
PETALS
PASTEL
PLEATS
So what 6th member, with the same letters, might hold them together?
STAPLE
For a graphic representation of the solve, please go to: