Nine-week-old kitten survives journey trapped under car bonnet
The animal was rescued when the driver heard its cries for help
Last updated 8th Jul 2021
A nine-week old kitten has survived a 40 mile drive across Sussex trapped underneath a car bonnet.
The driver heard meowing when she arrived in Pulborough after an hour long journey from Uckfield on Thursday morning.
Firefighters from Billingshurst Fire Station rescued the kitten.
Retained firefighter Brian Cook, said: "When the lady got out of her car there was no mistaking that there was something in the bonnet of the car that there shouldn’t be there.
"Not being able to see anything underneath, she called for help.
"When we arrived, we also couldn’t see any sign of anything under the bonnet, but we could definitely hear the little chap.
"We managed to create a bit of space underneath the engine and out popped this little black kitten.
"He was so surprised by his new found freedom he launched himself out of the engine bay entirely and made a beeline for a nearby hedge.
"Fortunately the crew were able to track him down in the undergrowth using one of the thermal imaging cameras kept on the fire engine.
"Getting him to come out proved more difficult and crew manager Andrew Buddle then had the idea of playing a YouTube video of a mother cat meowing.
"This lured him out and we were able to catch him before he could bolt any further."
The crew took the kitten to Arun Veterinary Group in Storrington, where the kitten was checked over and efforts made to reunite him with his owner.
Brian said: "Being only nine-weeks-old, the kitten isn’t microchipped, so identifying his original owner is going to be difficult.
"But this already very lucky kitten need not worry, as his unwitting chauffeur has already said that if his owner can’t be found, she will gladly provide him with a new home."