An Alabama cat available for adoption is generating significant interest due to its unique feature of having an extra set of ears. Foster caretaker Stephanie Brown shared that the cat has two additional earflaps located in front of its regular ears, which are smaller and appear to be reversed. These extra earflaps are merely additional skin and do not impact the cat’s hearing or cause any discomfort, according to Brown.

The cat, named Dobby, is being fostered by Brown in Pelham, Ala. Veterinarians have confirmed that this genetic mutation is exceptionally rare. The Kitty Cat Haven and Rescue shelter also confirmed the uniqueness of Dobby, stating that in their years of operation, having taken in over 6,800 cats and kittens, Dobby is a first for them.

Brown first learned about Dobby through a Facebook post by his previous owners, who mentioned that Dobby was struggling to get along with their other cat. Dobby was named after the house elf in the Harry Potter books due to his distinctive ears. In addition to his extra ears, Dobby was born with a short, curled tail and a severe underbite that will require surgery.

Despite Dobby’s unique characteristics, adoption requests are pouring in, showing great interest in welcoming Dobby into new homes. Brown mentioned that they are currently holding off on adoption applications as Dobby needs dental surgery scheduled for April before he becomes available for adoption.

The veterinarian has confirmed that Dobby’s extra ears will not pose any future issues and are a part of what makes him special. Brown expressed her reluctance to see Dobby lose his extra ears, emphasizing that they contribute to his uniqueness.

Stephanie Brown and her husband have been fostering animals since 2020, driven by the need for foster families in the cat adoption process. Despite already having a full household with multiple pets and a young daughter, Brown shared that she has considered the possibility of adopting Dobby herself in the future, although she remains undecided at present.