A newborn kitten named Vivi was discovered after cries from inside a truck engine led to a difficult rescue, and the bottle baby is now thriving.
Here's what to know
According to an Instagram post by Waggytail Rescue (@waggytailrescue), the ordeal came to light when people traced what it called "a tiny cry for help" to an 18-wheeler.
Reaching her was not simple. The newborn was lodged so far into the engine compartment that parts had to be removed in an attempt to get to her. Rescuers still couldn't reach her directly, so they eventually brought Vivi out with a long grabber.
Once she was out, rescuers classified Vivi as a bottle baby because she was too young to survive by herself and needed regular feedings, warmth, and round-the-clock care.
"Vivi is chipper, jolly, curious, loving, forgiving, and completely happy-go-lucky," Waggytail Rescue wrote.
More background
Vehicle engines are among the most dangerous hiding places for animals.
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Newborn kittens are especially vulnerable because they cannot fend for themselves and can quickly become sick without food or warmth.
Animals in crisis often need patient, hands-on help from shelters, fosters, and rescue groups before they can become healthy, adoptable pets.
Now, Vivi is playful and affectionate, giving little sign of the ordeal she survived.
What can be done?
Waggytail Rescue said the best ways to support Vivi and other animals are to adopt or foster.
Using the line "Who will be Vivi's happily ever after?" the group encouraged adopters to step forward, and it said people who are not ready to adopt can apply through its website to foster kittens.
Fostering can be especially important for bottle babies because very young kittens often need more individualized care than a typical shelter setting can easily provide.
Temporary homes give rescuers more flexibility to save animals that need extra time and attention.
Even people who cannot bring home a pet can still support this kind of work by following local rescues, sharing adoption posts, and donating supplies and funds.
For Vivi, that future looks bright. "She seems to have decided that surviving an 18-wheeler engine means she should spend the rest of her life having fun," Waggytail Rescue said. "She wakes up ready to play, explore, love everybody, and see what adventure comes next."
Where can I learn more?
Kittens can wind up in dangerous hiding spots, and getting them to safety often takes patience, ingenuity, and care. Here are a few similar accounts of vulnerable cats that were protected from harm.
• In New York, police freed a calico kitten from one car engine, then another.
• A stray mama cat returned with five kittens to a familiar feeding spot, prompting rescue.
• A rescuer cradled a biting feral kitten until a carrier finally arrived.
Each animal relied on someone to pay attention and step in. Vivi got that kind of help too, and it made all the difference.
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