Kitten Survives 700-Mile Trip Trapped Under Car

A tiny kitten has embarked on an extraordinary journey, surviving an estimated 700 miles trapped beneath a car traveling from New Jersey to Georgia. The remarkable rescue, which took place on the University of Georgia’s campus, has given the young feline a second chance at life. The kitten, now affectionately named Jersey, was discovered on August 10th after Jadyn Sawyer, a University of Georgia student, returned to her vehicle. She noticed a small leg dangling from beneath the car, prompting immediate concern.

An Unlikely Stowaway Discovered

The discovery was made when Sawyer arrived on campus, having driven from New Jersey. Her initial sighting of the kitten’s leg beneath her car led her to contact the University of Georgia Police Department. The police, in turn, reached out to the Cat Zip Alliance – Campus Cats, a local nonprofit dedicated to assisting felines in need. Kelly Bettinger, the founder of the organization, recounted the moment she and fellow volunteer Lisa Donovan arrived at the scene. They found Jersey wedged into a tight space under the vehicle.

“I’ll admit my heart dropped at first as I thought the kitten wasn’t alive, but thankfully he cried and moved when I touched his leg,” Bettinger shared. The initial attempts by officers to reach the kitten proved unsuccessful. To free the trapped animal, the car had to be taken to a nearby Tires Plus service center. There, mechanics carefully placed the vehicle on a lift and removed the front driver’s side tire, finally allowing Jersey to be pulled free.

A Miraculous Escape and Recovery

Remarkably, despite the arduous journey, Jersey was found to be hot and panting but showed no immediate signs of visible injury. Once settled in a cool, air-conditioned environment, the kitten quickly began to recover. A veterinary examination conducted the following day revealed that Jersey was generally healthy. He was diagnosed with a minor upper respiratory infection and coccidia, a common intestinal parasite often found in outdoor kittens, but these were considered treatable.

Initially, Jersey was understandably frightened of people, a natural reaction after such a traumatic experience. However, his rescuers soon witnessed his personality emerge. “He’s now talkative, playful, likes to be held and really sweet,” Bettinger reported, highlighting the kitten’s rapid transformation from a terrified stowaway to a beloved companion.

Understanding How Kittens End Up in Such Peril

Rita Reimers, a certified cat behaviorist based in North Carolina, explained how such incidents can occur. She noted that kittens, driven by a need for shelter or a sense of security, can easily crawl into the small, hidden spaces within vehicles. “Cats can hide in the smallest little places,” Reimers stated. “If their head fits, their body will fit.”

Reimers emphasized the importance of caution for drivers, particularly in areas where stray or outdoor cats are prevalent. She offered a practical piece of advice for all drivers: “I always tell people, especially in the winter, but all year long, if you park your car outside before you start it, bang on the hood.” This simple action can alert any hidden animals to the vehicle’s presence, potentially preventing them from becoming trapped.

A Journey Home for Jersey

Jersey is currently in a foster home, where he is receiving care and attention. Plans are in place for him to be neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated against rabies on September 1st. In a heartwarming turn of events, Sawyer’s sister and her fiancé, who reside in New Jersey, have decided to adopt Jersey. This means the kitten will eventually return to the very state where his incredible, albeit unintentional, cross-country adventure began.

“Now we have to figure out the logistics to get him back to New Jersey the first week of September, in a much safer and more comfortable way than as a stowaway,” Bettinger remarked, looking forward to reuniting Jersey with his new family. The story of Jersey’s survival serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of animals and the kindness of those who help them.