Audio, an orange tabby kitten under the care of True Rescue, an animal shelter in Tennessee, is capturing hearts with his exceptionally unique feature: four ears. This little feline, with his tabby stripes and pink nose, is set apart from his littermates by two sets of ears. Alongside his regular-sized ears, two smaller ears are positioned just in front, a rare genetic quirk that makes him truly special. Rescued by True Rescue in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, in late July, Audio’s future is bright as he navigates the world with his extraordinary charm.
True Rescue ensured Audio and his three siblings received immediate veterinary attention upon arrival. The veterinary team’s reaction to Audio highlighted just how unique he is. According to Amy Simcik, executive director of True Rescue, many veterinarians expressed a desire to meet him, recognizing it as a “once in a lifetime” phenomenon. The veterinary examination clarified the functionality of his distinctive anatomy. “He only possesses a single ear canal, rendering the additional ears purely ornamental, although he can move them in tandem with his functional ears,” Simcik explained. “His inner ear structure is entirely typical.” This means Audio doesn’t possess any enhanced hearing capabilities or other superpowers, other than an undeniable abundance of cuteness.
Reports of cats with four ears are remarkably scarce. Simcik acknowledges the rarity of Audio’s condition, stating, “We can only gauge based on the limited publicly documented cases.” However, Audio is not entirely alone in the quadruple-ear club. Midas, a gray four-eared cat residing in Turkey, has achieved social media fame with a popular Instagram account. Frankenkitten, from Australia, is another social media personality celebrated for having four ears and a single eye. “These occurrences can arise sporadically as a developmental anomaly,” explains Leslie Lyons, a cat researcher leading the Feline Genetics and Comparative Medicine Laboratory at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, emphasizing the sporadic nature of such genetic variations.
Audio and his siblings, approximately nine weeks old upon reaching the shelter, are currently undergoing treatment for upper respiratory infections, a common ailment among rescued cats. Simcik reports that Audio is “doing really well otherwise.” His extra ears are not anticipated to cause any health issues. Lyons confirms this, stating, “Apart from ensuring the cat can properly clean its ears—I am unaware of any health concerns associated with this condition.”
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Ginger cats are often known for their outgoing and affectionate personalities. While Audio’s full personality is still unfolding, Simcik describes him as “really shy” initially. The shelter is actively socializing the kittens to help them become comfortable around people. “I anticipate he will exhibit traits common to orange tabbies, being laid-back, adaptable, and adjusting well to human interaction,” Simcik predicts. “We believe that he and his litter had limited, if any, human handling before coming to us.”
True Rescue introduced Audio to the world through a post on their Facebook page, which garnered hundreds of comments. One commenter humorously remarked, “Better to hear when you shake the treat jar.” The shelter received over 100 adoption applications, inquiries, and emails regarding Audio, even before he was officially available for adoption. The response was almost overwhelming. “We were genuinely concerned about selecting the most suitable applicant, and ultimately, for his safety and our peace of mind, I decided to adopt him,” Simcik shared. Audio will now reside with Simcik and become an ambassador animal for the shelter.
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Audio is experiencing significant positive changes: increased socialization, consistent meals, and abundant affection. He, along with his four ears, will mature into his new role as a mascot for shelter animals. His genetic uniqueness will undoubtedly draw attention, but Simcik hopes it will also amplify support for True Rescue, enabling them to better serve the cats, dogs, and people in their care.
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