California Shelter Staff Stunned As Rescued Kitten Turns Around And Reveals A Rare Quirk
Every once in a while, a rescue comes along that reminds us how magical differences can be.
A little kitten was rescued from the streets and brought to the Sacramento SPCA. He was small and scruffy, yet so sweet that anyone would want to scoop him up and cuddle.
But first things first, he had ringworm, so he had to spend some time in quarantine before meeting anyone. Not the warmest welcome, but it was the safest way to help him heal.
Days passed, and slowly this little guy started bouncing back. His coat began to shine, his energy returned, and everyone at the shelter was excited to finally meet him.
At first glance, he looked like a typical sweet kitten. Tiny nose, bright eyes, soft fur. But when he turned around, the volunteers nearly did a double take.
Behind those normal ears were two extra little flaps. Yep, this kitty had four ears!
You can imagine the buzz around the shelter. Volunteers couldn’t stop smiling, and word spread like wildfire. This wasn’t something you see every day.
Sarah Varanini, the shelter’s communications manager, shared in an interview:
“The multiple ears are likely caused by some sort of rare mutation, so rare that there doesn’t appear to be any … studies regarding it.”
They decided he needed a name that celebrated his uniqueness, so Quattro it was, the Italian word for four. It fit him perfectly.
Now, some people might assume an extra set of ears would mean superhero hearing powers, like he could hear a treat bag crinkle from three blocks away.
But nope. His extra ears were just decorative; adorable little tufts of fur that didn’t actually work.
They didn’t connect to his ear canal, as Sarah explained:
“They are extra pieces of skin with fur that poke out on the back side of the primary ears. They do not seem to serve any real function … other than being adorable.”
So that extra pair of ears was more like little accessories that made him one-of-a-kind. And really, isn’t that enough?
Quattro wasn’t just about the ears, though. His face was a little narrower, his eyes a touch smaller.
And those subtle details perfectly added to his quirky charm. You could tell he was born to stand out.
When the shelter posted a video of him online, people couldn’t get enough. The internet loves a cat with something different about them, and Quattro’s four ears made him an instant star.
Before long, someone fell head over heels and knew he had to be theirs.
His new dad didn’t waste any time. He hopped in his car, drove three hours straight to Sacramento, and was waiting at the shelter’s doors first thing in the morning.
That’s how badly he wanted to bring Quattro home.
And just like that, the little kitten who once sat in isolation, battling ringworm, found a loving forever home where he’s celebrated every single day.
Quattro’s story proves that sometimes, being a little different makes you extra special.
