Kittens Rescued From Car Engines In Livermore

LIVERMORE, CA — As the colder weather arrives, Livermore police are warning drivers that they may find very unexpected visitors in their cars.

On Friday, a driver traveling from Stockton to Livermore heard meowing coming from his car. He pulled over and found a kitten wedged inside his engine. LPD Animal Services Officer Kathy Holmes was able to safely extract the kitten, who was transported to the East Bay SPCA Shelter in Dublin. Because he was rescued at a Chevron station, the kitten was dubbed Techron, after an engine-cleaning chemical from Chevron.

This was the second time in just over a month that a kitten was found in an engine near Livermore, according to the LPD. On Oct. 20, a driver spotted a kitten struggling along the freeway wall. When she stopped to help, the kitten jumped into her engine compartment and hid. After nearly an hour of coaxing and help from First Street Tow, Officer Holmes was able to rescue the kitten, later named Chevron.

Both kittens were made available for adoption.

If you suspect a cat is hiding inside your vehicle, the LPD advises the following steps:

• Lightly tap your hood or honk briefly before starting the car
• Check your car's wheel wells and engine area, especially on cold mornings
• If you discover a cat or kitten inside your vehicle, call Livermore Animal Services at (925) 371-4987, or the non-emergency number of the nearest police department.

As curious, small, and nimble creatures, kittens have a propensity to get stuck in all sorts of strange spots. During last week's rain, a cat got stuck in a narrow irrigation pipe at an apartment building in Pleasanton, the latest of many such adventures. See more stories below.

SEE ALSO:

• Cat Rescued From Irrigation Pipe In Pleasanton
• Firefighters Rescue Kitten From Pleasanton Storm Drain
• Kitten Rescued From Inside Car Engine Compartment