A scared but thankfully unharmed kitten in Florida went for the ride of their life just this past Tuesday down in the sunny Florida Keys. Found in the rear axle of a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office patrol car, the kitten was freed and is now on their way to finding a forever home.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office shared the kitten’s plight on Facebook soon after, which turned out to be a rescue mission that was completely unexpected. When responding to calls of a kitten darting across the Seven Mile Bridge, the officers showed up on the scene ready to help. But, no kitten appeared to be in sight.
That is, until a few hours later when Officer Rodriguez’s patrol car appeared to be meowing.
Their Facebook post reads:
Purrfect outcome after Deputies save kitten
Middle Keys Deputies saved a kitten Monday after they found it hitching a ride under Deputy Jonathan Rodriguez’s patrol car.
The story begins at approximately 9:08 a.m. when Deputies received reports that a kitten was running close to southbound traffic near Mile Marker 47 on the Seven Mile Bridge. Deputy Rodriguez responded to find a deceased adult cat — suspected to be the kitten’s mother — in the roadway at the base of the bridge.
Deputy Rodriguez stopped. He saw the kitten run toward his patrol car and apparently exit the bridge, back to safety. Deputy Rodriguez continued to look for the kitten near the base of the bridge to no avail. He alerted other Deputies that there was a kitten near the base of the bridge that may reenter traffic. Other calls came in and Deputy Rodriguez had to leave the scene.
Hours later toward the end-of-shift, at approximately 6 p.m., Sgt. Joel Slough heard a cat meowing from under Deputy Rodriguez’s patrol car. After several minutes, Deputy Frank Westerband was able to obtain visual confirmation that the kitten was sitting on the rear axle.
The call went out throughout the Sheriff’s Office Marathon Substation as both day and night shift Deputies went to work trying to rescue the kitten. The Florida Keys Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was also called for assistance. Cat food was used in attempt to lure the scared kitten out of the vehicle, but no luck. Both rear tires were removed from the car as the kitten kept retreating to a small void between the rear axle and the fuel tank.
Finally, Animal Control Officer Aryel Del Cueto was able to safely remove the kitten.
The kitten — nicknamed “Pawcifer Lucky” — is now resting comfortably at the FKSPCA in Marathon.
Check out the news clip below courtesy of Miami CBS local news:
I’d like to give a special “thank you” to the brave men and women of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for helping out this little kitty in need. You’re all heroes in my book! Here’s to hoping that sweet Pawcifer Lucky finds a forever home fast!
