Good Samaritan Saves Kitten from Potential Harm

A Racine man is being hailed as a hero Tuesday for saving a stray kitten from potential harm during Be Kind to Animals Month.

Wayne Clingman said with the nice weather Monday evening, he and his wife had their front door open to let in some fresh air when Mrs. Clingman - she asked that we not use her name - saw a small kitten dash by and hide under one of their cars.

When he looked outside, Clingman said he there were five or six kids between the ages of 10 and 12 with rocks who looked like they were chasing the cat.

"I have no proof they would have hurt the kitten, but I was afraid they might," he said. 

Clingman went outside and shooed the kids away. Then, he managed to woo the kitten out from under the car.

"We wrapped her in a blanket and put her in one of our cat carriers with food and water," he said. "We took her to the Humane Society first thing this morning."

The Wisconsin Humane Society, 2706 Chicory Road, in Mount Pleasant, gave the kitten - whom they've named June - a complete exam and pronounced her in good health. She's estimated to be about 10 weeks old.

"Our vet said she's in overall good health," said Alison Kleibor, executive director of the Racine branch.

June is on a stray hold in case she does have a family, but once the seven-day wait period is over, she will be up for adoption.

Kleibor said June's rescue during Be Kind to Animals Month is good timing because, unfortunately, kids throwing rocks and stones at animals is not all that uncommon and can mean trouble for those kids in the future.

"There is a substantive link between abuse of animals and domestic violence," she said. "We want to teach kids about care and kindness of animals now because they're the future generation of animal ownership."

If children learn to respect animals and treat them with kindness, that animals have value, then that often leads to more respect and kindess for individuals, Kleibor added.

Clingman said Kleibor's staff went "above and beyond" when he arrived with June. As for why he didn't just keep her when he's clearly an animal lover, Klingman said he and his wife have enough pets of their own.

"My wife teased me that I would be the old man with cats," he joked, before turning serious. "I know I can't save the world, but saving this kitten shows the need to be more active in our neighborhoods."