LANCASTER, PA - A kitten stranded Thursday in the middle of Lincoln Highway East is alive and now serving as poster cat for a safety awareness program at the Pet Pantry of Lancaster County.
He was named “Lincoln” by staffmembers there. The 8- to 10-week-old black-and-white kitten is currently “resting comfortably,” medical director Dr. Bryan Langlois reported on Friday.
“Based on the dirt and little bit of grease found on his coat, it is believed the kitten was seeking refuge in a car engine before running off into the street,” he said. “It is something that everyone should remember as the weather turns colder.”
Stray cats often seek warmth and safety inside of a cat that’s recently had the engine turned-off, he explained, but can sustain “horrific, and sometimes even fatal” injuries if they’re caught napping when the engine restarts.
“It is always advised to bang on your hood before starting your car in the morning” to give a cat or other creature that may be seeking refuge a chance to get away before starting the engine,” Langlois said.
Lincoln is being evaluated and supervised until he is medically cleared but he appears to be doing well. The kitten will likely be available for adoption through the Pet Pantry soon.
For more information, visit the Pet Pantry online at petpantrylc.org or call 717-983-8878.
And please, share this story with your friends. This story proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that a few raps on the hood of the car in the cold and inclement weather saves lives!