Meet Batman, the 4-Eared Cat
A superhero needs special powers, and Batman the cat is no exception. The black kitty honors his namesake with a set of pointy ears - all four of them. The rare condition helped Batman find a forever home in a matter of hours, a powerful feat for even the Dark Knight.
Batman made quite an impression when he first arrived at the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society in Pittsburgh last month. "As an open door shelter, we take in and care for any animal brought to us," managing director Hala Nuemah posted on Facebook. "Just when you think you've seen it all, a four eared cat comes in the door!"
After further research, the staff learned that the genetic mutation dates back to at least 1938, when a four-eared cat named "Toots" lived in Ashtabula, Ohio. And while the condition sometimes comes with other abnormalities, Batman looked a-okay. "He's a really cool cat," shelter veterinarian Dr. Todd Blauvelt told CBS News. "He has a very rare congenital defect. It doesn't really affect his hearing. He can hear just fine, but he has two little ear tufts behind his ear. I've never encountered that."
After receiving treatment for a respiratory infection, the shelter put Batman up for adoption on Tuesday. Hours later, he found his new family. "A young girl and her mother decided to take Batman into their home" spokeswoman Caitlin Lasky told ABC News. "It was fitting because the little girl liked superheroes."
While multi-eared cats don't show up very often, Batman's not alone. The appropriately-named Yoda also earned internet fame a few years ago, but his story didn't start off as sweet. Owner Valerie Rock was in a Chicago bar when customers started passing around a "devil cat." Luckily, Rock fell in love with the little guy.
Yoda and Batman have also inspired people to share pictures of their own unusual felines. Meet Kreach and Sonic:
While these unique kitties definitely make a great addition to the family, don't count out a regular two-eared pet just yet. Check out the humane society's cats still up for adoption and you just might find a new sidekick.
