National

Kitten gets trapped below sidewalk — then California rescuers crack open a can of tuna

A kitten was rescued after getting trapped in a space below a California street, rescuers said.
A kitten was rescued after getting trapped in a space below a California street, rescuers said. Photo from Orange County Fire Authority

When multiple attempts to rescue a trapped kitten failed, a group of California residents took to knocking on a fire station door.

The group found “the tiny thing” trapped below a Santa Ana sidewalk Sunday, April 28, the Orange County Fire Authority said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

After firefighters arrived, it took a bit of creativity to rescue the kitten.

In a video posted by rescuers on X, meowing is heard as the kitten sits beside a filing box, which has a rope tied to the handle.

A rescuer’s hands hover over the rope, ready to lift the box in the event the kitten wanders in.

“Come on, baby,” a woman can be heard saying in the video.

A photo shared on X shows a firefighter gripping the rope through a manhole on the sidewalk as a group watches.

Rescuers said “with some ingenuity, technical skills, a box, can of tuna, and a meow sound video from YouTube, they were able to rescue the feline.”
Rescuers said “with some ingenuity, technical skills, a box, can of tuna, and a meow sound video from YouTube, they were able to rescue the feline.” Photo from Orange County Fire Authority

“With some ingenuity, technical skills, a box, can of tuna, and a meow sound video from YouTube, (firefighters) were able to rescue the feline,” rescuers said.

The kitten was OK and already has a foster home.
The kitten was OK and already has a foster home. Photo from Orange County Fire Authority

Capt. Thanh Nguyen told McClatchy News in an email that rescuers estimated the kitten had been under the street for 12 or more hours.

“It took our firefighters approximately 19 minutes to rescue the kitten,” Nguyen said.

The kitten, which was OK, is now at a foster home, rescuers said.

Santa Ana is about a 33-mile drive southeast from Los Angeles.

Read Next
Read Next
Read Next

This story was originally published April 29, 2024 at 4:19 PM with the headline "Kitten gets trapped below sidewalk — then California rescuers crack open a can of tuna."

Daniella Segura
McClatchy DC
Daniella Segura is a national real-time reporter with McClatchy. Previously, she’s worked as a multimedia journalist for weekly and daily newspapers in the Los Angeles area. Her work has been recognized by the California News Publishers Association. She is also an alumnus of the University of Southern California and UC Berkeley.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER