Cupertino Kitten Rescued, Caught By Deputy, Ex SF Giants Player

CUPERTINO, CA — Adding to the flurry of animal rescues lately, a 6-week-old kitten was safely taken out of a storage drain on Chelmsford Drive in Cupertino Tuesday morning.

The San Jose Fire Department assisted Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputies on the 9:31 a.m. call with what appears to be an involved rescue according to the county sheriff's Facebook page. San Jose Fire Capt. Mitch Matlow told Patch the experienced rescue crew was on the scene for about 15 minutes.

A woman was walking on the street near Bollinger Road when she heard meowing and looked down into the storm drain that leads to Saratoga Creek to see a tiny orange and white calico, according to sheriff's spokesman Michael Low.

Deputy Justin Christian, a former San Francisco Giants outfielder, jumped in the drain to save the day.

The kitten was taken to the South Bay Animal Hospital & Pet Resort where he was fed and transferred by San Jose Animal Care and Services within about five minutes. After evaluation, it could be up for adoption or through a foster care program at the San Jose Animal Shelter.

"It probably didn't eat for a couple of days," said Barbara McMannus from the animal hospital. "He was purring and eating pretty fast."