Matilda, the kitten, fell eight feet down an open drainpipe outside a Cleveland, Ohio, home, crying in distress. Hearing the cries, a man named Robert called the fire department but struggled to find someone to come. That’s when he called on a local rescue group called Kamm’s Cat Guardians. From there, they tirelessly worked for hours to save Matilda, even giving her CPR on the scene.
The drain hole where the kitten got trapped
On Tuesday, April 5, Matilda and three other kittens managed to go down the open 4-inch pipe at the outside corner of a brick home. Sadly, the other kittens drowned by the time the rescuers arrived, but they wouldn’t give up on Matilda. As they worked, they could hear the kitten crying for help.
Images: Facebook, Kamm’s Cat Guardians, Screenshots via YouTube/WKYC
According to the rescuer’s Facebook page, it was a group effort to save the kittens. Jim from the local hardware store quickly constructed a device to grab the kitten. Also, Craig and Mike from the local WKYC news assisted Kamm’s Cat Guardians, Kym & Gary.
Rescuer Gary Performs CPR on Matilda
As they struggled to extract Matilda from the vertical pipe, she cried. But then, everything went quiet.
“Stay with me, please! Stay with me,” said Kym. “Oh God, please let her still be alive! She’s not making any noise.”
What happened next was caught on video (see below)
“She wasn’t breathing when she came out of the water, but they did CPR on her and rushed her to MedVet,” stated the post.
Top: Gary performs CPR on the kitten. Bottom: Rescuers work to get her out
Matilda Starts Breathing Again
After the rescuers rushed the kitten to the vet, she amazingly woke up and started crying again. It was “music to everyone’s ear,” they said. Then, she made a quick recovery despite being so close to death.
“They kept her until her body temperature was back up to normal and she was eating. Kamm’s Cat Guardians picked her up this evening and welcomed her into foster care,” the post states.
Finally, they thanked everyone involved for saving the kitten, heartbroken for the little ones that weren’t so lucky.
“Thanks to Gary, Kym, Jim, Craig and Mike, this little one can grow up to live a long life. Although our hearts are broken for the ones who couldn’t be saved, we are grateful for little Matilda’s survival. Please, cover any open drain pipes in your yard,” they wrote.
Open pipe near Cleveland home
Video by WKYC Channel 3:
A Reminder to Cover Up Drain Holes
If only someone had covered the pipe beforehand, this would never have happened. Thus, it’s a good reminder for everybody to keep an eye out and cover up similar holes and drain pipes, which can be disastrous for curious kittens and other animals.
In “spring kitten season,” rescuers often get overwhelmed with all the kittens needing help, including many requiring immediate veterinary care. If you have any inclination, ability, or interest, it’s the perfect time to inquire with your local shelter or rescues about fostering furbabies like Matilda. Donations are also welcome to help foot the expensive vet bills.
For updates, you can follow Kamm’s Cat Guardians on Facebook. Below, see the latest update on Matilda, who is doing great!
“Update on Matilda: our little survivor is doing well in her foster home. She is eating like a champ, using her litter box and exploring her new home. Life bundled in blankets on a heating pad is much nicer than life under the bushes, and she is loving her comfy bed. She’s also very active…she has kitten things to do!! We will keep you posted as she grows!”
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