“[E]veryone was excited.”
A few weeks ago, the Sacramento SPCA rescued a tiny stray kitten who was found all alone on the street. When he first arrived at the shelter, he tested positive for ringworm, a contagious skin condition, and had to be kept in temporary isolation until he recovered.
Once he was feeling better, volunteers were finally able to spend time with him. That’s when they made a shocking discovery.
Shelter Staff Discovers Four-Eared Kitten
From the front, the kitten looked like any other sweet rescue. But when he turned his head, staff and volunteers noticed something extraordinary — he had two extra flaps of skin behind his main ears, giving the appearance of four ears.
“At that point, word spread very quickly and everyone was excited,” said Sarah Varanini, communications manager at Sacramento SPCA, in an interview with The Dodo.
The kitten was given the name Quattro, the Italian word for “four,” in honor of his unusual trait.
Why Does Quattro Have Four Ears?
According to Varanini, the extra ears are the result of a rare genetic mutation. Unlike his primary ears, the second set doesn’t connect to an ear canal and serves no real function.
“The ears do not connect to the ear canal — they are extra pieces of skin with fur that poke out on the back side of the primary ears,” Varanini explained. “They do not seem to serve any real function … other than being adorable.”
In addition to the extra ears, Quattro has a slightly narrower face and smaller eyes than most kittens — features that Varanini has also observed in other cats with similar mutations.
Viral Fame and Adoption
When the Sacramento SPCA shared a video of Quattro on social media, it quickly went viral. Cat lovers everywhere were fascinated by his unique look.
“Who wouldn’t want to hear about a four-eared kitten?” Varanini said.
It wasn’t long before Quattro found his forever home. His new dad was so excited that he drove three hours to Sacramento and arrived just an hour after the shelter opened to adopt him.
While Varanini was a little sad to say goodbye, she’s grateful to have played a part in his story: “It’s wonderful to know that Quattro will be loved for exactly who he is.”