The “Cat Man” signal went off again back in April of 2020 and Chris Poole jumped into action. This time it was a woman who contacted him about an odd noise she had heard coming from her car. I laugh here because I picture the “what sound is the car making” question. Also because I know that the cause of the sound is now safe and sound.
From underneath the woman’s car, she could hear tiny meows.
Enter Chris. They were able to piece together where the crying sound had come from, but it wouldn’t be easy and they couldn’t see anything. It was a sweet but skittish feral grey and white feline who was responsible for the stowaways.
Mom cat was stashing them in the engine, then one by one taking them out and going next door to let them nurse under another car. She would then put them back in their super secret place.
But even though he knew where the kittens had been stashed, he couldn’t reach the last meow makers that he could hear.
At first I had no idea how to get them out.I crawled underneath the car and tried to grab from all angles and couldn’t. Then it’s Florida, so it started raining and I called it quits.
Early the next morning though, Chris got a text from the woman. She had gone to check the car for any signs of kittens.
And two newborn kittens fell out from underneath, luckily only a short drop.
Chris rushed back to the scene and started helping the kittens warm up. But there were still meows coming from beneath the metal cave.
I just decided to stick my arm down in the engine as far as it would go and if I got stuck so be it. Oil covered my arms when I was done.I was finally able to grab the tiny kitten! At first we just thought there were two but feeling around in the engine we discovered there were 4 and got them all! I was paranoid I might miss one, so I spent SO much time until I felt confident they were all out.
No way was he about to leave a nursing mama and take her kittens from her. So he set up the kittens in a carrier and used them as bait to draw the doting mama in.
It worked and this time the entire family went on a ride IN the car to their new foster home.
Chris dropped the cat clan off with Sheridan McNeel who fosters for The Runaways Animal Rescue, in Holiday, Florida. With their shocking story, it was east to name them. Sadly, after only a couple of weeks, the journey for Axel’s little soul was over. It wasn’t anything related to the car engine, just the sad reality of genetic street cat life for him.
Spark and Chassis are sweet girls, and Turbo is a boy.
Mama cat was also not about to have anything to do with the indoor life. After attempting to begin to socialize her, it was clear the feral ran deep within her blood. But she was released back at the home after being spayed. NO more engine babies for this mama! Don’t worry though, she is being fed by another of the caring neighbors.
Wait! The door’s open!!
But her little sweet kiddos were happily away in foster care. Their little “purring motors” foretold of happier times to come.
Before long, it was time for them to be put up for adoption. And like a new model car, adopters scrambled to be the one to bring them home.
Chassis road to rescue was a bit more “hilly” than the others though. Her first adopter pulled out but as we always say, “Better earlier than abandoning them later”. And I’m fairly confident that fate may have had a paw in this one.
Because what this little chassis is now part of, is one of the most adorable families ever! From the first moments on her adoption day, this sweet girl had them hooked.
Are you ready for the cutest adoption photo ever?? Chassis has been adopted and has two siblings and two doggie siblings! How cool is that?? This family is already so in love with her, and we’re already getting updates on how well she’s doing! Happy life Chassis! You hit the jackpot!
From the first call Chris received to seeing these tear worthy photos now, I hope this is what inspires others to help homeless animals. Because it wasn’t just Chassis’s life that was jump started that day, those girls will have a lifetime of memories with their beloved kitty.
Relaxed much Chassis?! <3 This is why we do what we do — this picture right here.
Please be sure to follow the Runaways Animal Rescue for all their transFURmation stories!
And I guarantee this is NOT the last engine or dangerous place Cat Man Chris will stick his arm in to save a kitten. 
REMEMBER: SPAY/NEUTER, FOSTER, VOLUNTEER, TNR & AS ALWAYS, ADOPT, DON’T SHOP!
Related Story: Cat Loses Both Ears–And Almost His Life!–After Found Battered Hiding In Car Engine For Warmth
Related Story: Young Kitten Discovered Stuck In Car Engine For A Day In Airport Parking Garage
