Audio, a 4-Eared Kitten, Is Turning Heads in Tennessee
Tales of rescue cats often capture our hearts online, overcoming rough beginnings and finding loving forever homes. However, a recent story out of Tennessee has captured the attention of people around the world online.
Earlier this summer, True Rescue, an animal rescue based out of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, shared the newest kitties to come into their care. Among them was an 8–9-week-old kitten with a surprising genetic defect – he has 4 ears.
Named Audio due to his ability to hear the world in surround sound (100% an intentional pun), this sweet boy weighed just over 2 pounds, but don’t let his small size surprise you. This little guy is full of personality, and he’s showing the world that, in some situations, more really is more!
Four kittens came into the care of True Rescue after being dumped in a mechanic’s shop in a duct-taped box with no air holes. The kittens all required antibiotics and veterinary care for their condition due to an upper respiratory infection. They continue to take antibiotics as of the last update that the rescue provided to their followers but were doing well.
After sharing the story of Audio on their Facebook, it was clear the people wanted to know more. The rescue shared this viral video, introducing the sweet young boy:
When asked about the genetic mutation, rescue owners Amy Simick and Kristen Condit explained just how rare his condition is:
“This is more than one in a million,” Condit stated. “There has been another cat with four ears, but Audio’s extra ears are actually rear-facing. They face into his ear, as opposed to the other cat that was reported, they’re just facing outward like a normal ear. So, it’s definitely unique in that regard and we have yet to see anyone, any kitten or cat reported that has that abnormality that way.”
Since his story hit the internet, the rescue has received many, many applications. However, the owners of the rescue said that none of the prospective adopters were “quite right.” Worried about people experimenting on him or adopting him just for the novelty of his four ears versus for the sweet companion he so desperately wanted to be, one of the rescue’s owners decided to take him in.
Moving forward, Audio has an integral role in the rescue. He will serve as an “ambassador for better treatment and care of pets.”
Audio’s three other siblings will be up for adoption soon. While two of the sisters have what the rescue describes as a “little mini ear flop, one on each ear,” they don’t quite have the full four-ear appearance. But they are adorable, affectionate kittens who want to find their loving forever home.
For more information about the kittens or any other adoptable animals currently in the care of True Rescue, you can visit the rescue’s website HERE.
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Britt Kascjak is a proud pet mom, sharing her heart (and her home) with her “pack” which includes her husband John, their 2 dogs – Lucifer and Willow – and their 2 cats – Pippen and Jinx. She has been active in the animal rescue community for over 15 years, volunteering, fostering and advocating for organizations across Canada and the US. In her free time, she enjoys traveling around the country camping, hiking, and canoeing with her pets.
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