Newman volunteer firefighters successfully rescued a kitten from the walls of an L Street home. Pictured, from left, are Jim Lagrutta, George Vargas, Chuck Coelho, Chris Vargas and Evaristo “Jr.” De Leon.
NEWMAN, CALIFORNIA – Rescuing newborn kittens is not technically in the realm of any firefighters, but since both our local departments embrace the philosophy of being there to help when they can – it also wasn’t surprising that the Newman crew went out of its way very recently to rescue a newborn kitten.
The department was phoned in to assist after a mother cat had her litter in the attic of a single-story L Street home.
After leaving food out in an unsuccessful effort to try and lure the kitten, the department returned with its thermal imaging camera in hopes of pinpointing the location of the tiny kitten.
That didn’t work, so Fire Chief Keith Bowen said, because the animal was too small to generate enough heat for the camera to pick up…..but the firefighters weren’t quite done yet.
The kitten ended up sliding down between two walls, and its cries led the firefighters to the location.
They eventually opened up the wall and were then able to rescue the hungry but otherwise safe kitten, who was subsequently adopted into a new home.
Not everyone would have gone the extra mile to help this resident, who I’m sure was beside himself (or herself), and a tiny kitten who was clearly and plainly in distress and peril.
However, the firefighters took it upon themselves to do whatever they could to help, and the result was a story with a happy ending.
Way to go, guys!
