At True Rescue in Mt. Juliet, a unique little kitten named Audio is taking social media by storm with his unusual genetic mutation - he was born with four ears. As reported by WVLT, Audio's extra set of ears has captured the attention of online communities, but the shelter assures that his inner ear is completely normal, requiring only extra cleaning due to his additional ears. Weighing just over 2lbs and at eight to nine weeks old, Audio is still too young for adoption as he awaits a full check-up by a veterinarian.
Discovered abandoned in a box along with his siblings, the arrival of this four-eared feline at True Rescue added a glimmer of hope during a time of critical need for the shelter. Kristin Condite, Director of Operations at True Rescue, revealed to MyHighPlains the immediate reaction upon discovering Audio's extra ears during an exam. With the shelter grappling with severe drainage and flooding problems, the timing of Audio's trending charm provided an unexpected boost in visibility.
The community response to True Rescue's plight – intensified by kitten season demands – has been heartening, with local residents stepping forward to foster additional kittens and donations arriving to replenish the shelter's food supply. Condite spoke to the rarity of seeing full shelves this time of year and confirmed the community's support in a statement obtained by YourBasin.
Despite the challenges faced by True Rescue, including the necessity of 150 to 200 adoptions per month to match the intake of cats, Audio's presence has been a silver lining. Staff members assured that the kitten's extra ears will not be removed unless they become a source of harm, focusing instead on the joy and attention the unique kitten brings. "For Audio to come at this time...it really does feel like a good luck charm," Condite conveyed her sentiments in an interview given to MyHighPlains.
