Woman Spends Hours Trying To Lure Cat Out Of Tiniest Hiding Place

Elysia Caris was heading home from work in New York City one day when she heard faint meows out of nowhere. She took a moment to look around, and soon noticed a paw sticking from a tiny crawl area beneath a fence. She leaned down to get a better look and saw a chilly and filthy cat trapped into the crawl space.

The cat, subsequently called Ying, had gotten himself into a place that was too tight and cramped for Caris to reach into and pull him out of, so she went to a neighboring deli, bought a can of cat food, and tried to coax him out of the area with it. Ying had been in the crawl space for weeks at that time, according to neighbors, and appeared to have no desire to come out, despite the fact that he plainly needed assistance. Even with the promise of food, Ying was still too afraid to leave his cramped quarters.

“He popped his head out and came out just a little bit, but would dart back in if a car passed or if I got too close,” Caris told The Dodo. “I stayed for about an hour trying to get him out of there before I got too cold and had to go in. I didn’t want to leave him, though.”

Caris put the can of food into the crawl space, desperate to help him, hoping Ying would at least be able to eat and regain some strength. She returned home, but couldn’t stop thinking about the unfortunate cat all night, and she felt she had to keep trying to assist him.

“It was as if he was already my cat,” Caris remarked. “I couldn’t just leave him there.” It makes me sad to think of him being in that cold place for as long as he was.”

The next morning, Caris returned to the location where Ying had been hiding — and was relieved to see him still there. She devised a fresh strategy and determined that this time, she would refuse to give up until he was safe and sound in her arms.

“I bought another can of food and placed some on my hands this time to pull him out of the gap,” Caris explained. “He moved closer and closer, and then he ate off my hands.” I snatched him up and carried him home when he eventually wriggled all the way out.”

Ying was terrified at first and meowed in protest as Caris took him inside, but he quickly relaxed and began purring in her arms, knowing he was finally secure. Caris placed Ying on the floor and, after a brief exploration of his new surroundings, he curled up in front of the heater, tired from his ordeal and relieved to finally be warm and comfortable again.

Caris took Ying to the doctor and was relieved to learn that, after spending weeks in the crawl space, he was in good health. He had ticks and a lot of dirt in his ears, but he didn’t have any long-term medical difficulties. Caris took him home again after the vet had cleaned him up and vaccinated him, and she knew he was there to stay.

Ying is now obsessed with his new mother, and Caris is overjoyed with her decision to adopt him. She refused to give up on him, and today the tiny kitten has the best new home and can’t stop thanking his mom.

“If I’m sitting down, he revolves around me and brushes against my legs when he wants to be picked up,” Caris explained. “He’s been at my side since the day I brought him in.” In some ways, I feel like he’s adopted me!”

Link to Paws Daily

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