Anyone who has ever attempted to dislodge a cat from their hiding spot when he doesn’t want to come out knows the operation is one to test your patience and ingenuity.
Rescue workers alerted to a kitten in a storm drain experienced just such an operation. Below ground, among the muck and trash, a kitten had gotten himself stuck in the drain pipes. Without help, he would have probably perished alone among the garbage.
The kind hearts at Hope for Paws couldn’t standby and let such tragedy unfold.
When Eldad Hagar, co-founder of Hope for Paws, received the call about the kitten, he enlisted JoAnn Wiltz, “rescue ninja” as his trusty assistant. Together the pair descended into the drains beneath a Los Angeles street and followed the tiny meows of distress.
You’ve Got To Get Creative To Catch a Cat
The pair found the kitten in a pipe too small for them to enter and the scared baby cat refused to come to either of them. Eldad and JoAnn knew they would be underground awhile, leaving the manholes in the city sidewalks wide open. To avoid anyone from getting hurt, they asked Josefina Vasquez to watch the street above to keep folks from falling in while the pair worked.
screenshot, Hope For Paws.org/YouTube
JoAnn guarded one end of the pipe with a large net to keep the tabby kitten from escaping while Eldad situated himself at the other end. There, he was armed with a long pole, a lot of tape, and an idea. It took some finagling to reach the kitten, but Eldad managed to push the stubborn boy toward JoAnn.
screenshot, Hope For Paws.org/YouTube
When they finally caught hold of the kitten, he received snuggles, food, and a warm bed where the little boy learned about comfort and security. The grey tabby also acquired the name Splinter.
Room 8 Memorial Cat Foundation/Facebook
On Facebook, Hope for Paws wrote, “With the winter here, rain, floods, little kittens have no chance to survive in storm drains, and I am so happy that people know to call Hope For Paws for help!”
Foster Love to Forever Home
To prepare the little boy cat for a forever home, Splinter spent time with Room 8 Memorial Cat Foundation. Their mission is “to provide care, shelter and successful, loving adoptions of homeless domestic cats”. Raising Splinter to a healthy and happy kitten, Room 8 fulfilled their mission. The dedicated cat lovers soon matched him with his special humans.
Room 8 Memorial Cat Foundation/Facebook
Room 8 posted a picture of the new family, writing, “This little charmer ‘Splinter’ made his way into their arms and his forever home! Big Hugs & Love ❤️ to ‘Hope for Paws 🐾’”.
Thank you to all the kind hearts that helped this kitten find his forever home.
H/T: pawmygosh.co
Feature Image: Hope For Paws/Facebook