Watch: Florida Firefighters Save Kitten Trapped in Wheel Well

TARPON SPRINGS, FL — A little black-and-white kitten with a big pair of lungs has a new home thanks to a persistent motorist and some of the folks at Tarpon Springs Fire Rescue.

It seems the motorist spotted a small stray kitten Wednesday morning before hopping in her 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe to head to work. Thinking nothing more about the critter, she proceeded down U.S. 19 from Holiday. As she drove, however, the woman couldn’t help but hear “what sounded like a kitten crying from the engine compartment,” an email from District Chief Richard Walsh said.

The woman pulled over and tried to find the source of the noise. Unsuccessful, she continued on her way, chalking up the mews to a mechanical issue, the email said. Not too much further down the road, the woman was sitting in traffic when the noise became audible once more.

“Believing the kitten was in her engine compartment, she pulled into Tarpon Springs Fire Rescue Station 69 and asked if we could take a look to see if we could locate the kitten,” the email said.

Firefighters were more than happy to help. They spent about 10 minutes looking, Walsh said, but could not find anything. The woman decided to head on to work, but returned only moments later, saying the cries had begun again.

As firefighters began searching the vehicle again, they too heard strange noises. Realizing there was a kitten trapped in the Santa Fe, they pulled it into the bay and proceeded to take off a wheel and partially remove the wheel well liner.

With the liner partially off, firefighters were able to see the tiny kitten “hiding in a small area of the fender well,” Walsh said.

The kitten was rescued without injury, he noted. It now has a name, Fender. It also appears to have a home.

“The vehicle driver took custody of the young kitten,” Walsh said.

Fender’s rescue isn’t the only time in recent weeks first responders have stepped in to save creatures of the furry or feathered kind. Last week, Pasco County deputies saved a kitten that had been tied up. Firefighters and police in Clearwater also rescued an eagle that was found injured on Countryside Boulevard.

Photo and video courtesy of Tarpon Springs Fire Rescue