It was all hands on deck for the Arizona Humane Society AHS and Phoenix Fire Department to save a kitten trapped for a full week in a storm drain. Too often, kittens are born into an often cruel world where they have little chance to survive. But in this case, teams of people worked to save one little cutie when they heard his cries.
The kitten was meowing for help for a week, but sadly, nobody could reach him. Every time someone opened the manhole cover, the frightened baby scurried away out of reach. But don’t worry, they left him food, which was always gone when they returned. “Eating like a pig” described his appetite for devouring canned food and chicken left by the firefighters throughout the week.
Drain the kitten survived in for a week/ Arizona Humane Society via People
To rescue the kitten, they needed to use a humane trap, as TNR (trap, neuter, return) rescuers do. After setting the trap, they returned to check every few hours. Well, it took two days, but the little orange kitten finally took the bait. Then, they lifted him out of the pit at last.
Wonderfully, the AHS caught the rescue operation on video (see below).
Look at that cute little face!
Kitten Received the Best Care at Arizona Humane Society
Back at the AHS, the kitten had the best care possible in their Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital with Emergency Animal Medical Technicians. Each year, they treat as many as 6,000 animals, giving them a second chance at life.
In this case, they determined the kitten was about six weeks old, underweight, and had fleas. He also had a “tummy ailment” needing treatment, as one would expect after a week in a storm drain.
“You’re fine. We’re going to get you taken care of,” said one of the technicians as they held the kitten.
Screenshots via YouTube, Arizona Humane Society
Despite the ordeal, they expected the kitten to recover and gain weight after two weeks. Then, the “little kiddo” would be ready to find a forever home. According to the AHS Facebook page, one of the firefighters seen in the rescue expressed interest in adopting the kitten.
“Word on the street is that one of the firefighters on scene is interested in adopting the little squirt,” they said.
The AHS thanked the firefighters for helping them rescue the kitten. So many kind people worked together to save one tiny life.
“Teamwork makes the dream work! Thank you so much for your help!” the Arizona Humane Society commented when the Phoenix Fire Department shared the video.
Video by Arizona Humane Society:
Saving ‘Augustus Gloop’ from a Storm Drain
Recently, the AHS was back at it, saving another kitten from a storm drain. This time, the 2-month-old kitten was affectionately known as Augustus Gloop. Somehow he found himself trapped in a 20-foot storm drain below the ground, meowing in distress.
As water poured into the drain, he had to tread water, but AHS emergency rescuers Julie Bolchalk, Ruthie Jesus, and the Chandler Fire Department arrived to save him.
“Having to act quickly, they followed his cries to locate him but found he was in a part of the drain that they were unable to open with the tools they had,” AHS reported.
After the firefighters removed the drain cover with a hydraulic tool, the rescuers pulled Augustus Gloop to safety. He was exhausted and hypothermic, with bleeding nails from trying to claw his way out. Thanks to the rescuers, he survived and recovered in the trauma hospital.
“Augustus made it out safe! Great community teamwork!” shared the Chandler Fire Department.
From there, the cute kitten went to foster care, where he made new puppy friends.
Two of the foster providers were rescuers on the scene that day.
You can follow the Arizona Humane Society on Facebook and Instagram to help support the many thousands of animals they save each year.
Video by Arizona Humane Society:
Images via Facebook/Phoenix Fire Department and YouTube/Arizona Humane Society
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