A tiny kitten was rescued after being trapped on a Metro Vancouver property for four days.
Good Samaritans heard the tiny feline crying off and on over several days but were unable to locate it on the property. After this, they contacted the BC SPCA’s animal helpline and asked for assistance, according to a BC SPCA news release.
When the SPCA animal protection officer arrived at the Surrey home, the building occupants showed her the area where they were hearing the cat's cries. The officer then heard what sounded like a young kitten mewing from within an exterior portion of the building.
“The kitten sounded distressed and was not visible,” said Mark Vosper, regional manager of animal protection (Lower Mainland & Fraser Valley), BC SPCA. “The animal protection officer walked the exterior of the home and looked into adjacent interior areas but the only way to access the space appeared to be from the crawl space underneath the home.”
The landlord came to the property and expressed concern for the cat's welfare, consenting to "freeing the cat by whatever means necessary, including damaging the property," according to the BC SPCA.
The animal protection officer contacted the Surrey Fire Department to help free the kitten and two firefighters were dispatched to the scene. After they attempted to access the area from the crawl space, they cut portions of the exterior home to get to the small feline. After two-and-a-half hours, they were able to free the four-week-old black kitten.
When the kitten was taken to the animal hospital for examination, the veterinarian found some abdominal pain that "was possibly the result of being stuck,” Vosper explained. “She was prescribed pain medication and requires syringe and bottle feeding.”
After she was taken to the Abbotsford BC SPCA, she was placed in the care of a BC SPCA foster home.
The BC SPCA suspects that the kitten's mother may have been an adult black cat that was hit by a car and discovered deceased near the home.
“This kitten’s fighting spirit and loud cries saved her. After at least four days of being trapped, she is now resting happily,” Vosper said.
The animal protection officer who rescued the tiny feline nicknamed her “Lenna”, which means “lion strength” or “lion-hearted."
The brave kitten is currently available for adoption.
