A kitten named Avis miraculously survived a 60-mile trip inside the engine of a rental car. Then, Avis found a forever home at an Ohio auto body shop.
Auto body shop technician Garrett Frey got a big surprise when someone dropped off a rental car for service at Firelands Collision Center in Norwalk, Ohio.
The car went into the shop and was locked up overnight. Then, the next morning, staff noticed animal footprints on the floor but weren’t sure where they came from. The next day, one of the staff heard a meow, and Frey followed a set of footprints to a Kia Soul rental car. Underneath, he spotted cat feces.
When Frey approached the car, he heard crying sounds. Upon popping open the hood, a beautiful grey and white kitten was there. Astonishingly, the two-month-old kitten had traveled inside the hood for 60 miles from the Cleveland-Hopkins Airport. Both Frey and the people who drove the car got a big surprise.
According to Firelands Collision Center’s Toni Garbo:
“She was curled up near the shock mount under the hood,” said Garbo, Firelands. “The people who dropped off the car were surprised she was there,” reported the Sandusky Register.
Garrett Frey shows where Avis was hiding (holding mascot ‘Firelands Frank)’ via YouTube
Avis Becomes Part of the Team
Soon after opening the hood, the kitten started to run off. Then, after a chase around the shop, employees offered her food and water and gave her the name Avis after the rental car company. Immediately, the cute little kitten was a hit with everyone at the auto shop, a “little princess” and a member of the team.
“The guys love her,” Garbo said. “She has them wrapped around her paws and is so loved and spoiled already.”
Image via Facebook/FirelandsBodyShop
After a trip to the veterinarian, Avis got routine shots and a clean bill of health. Also, they learned the little princess was really a little prince.
Back at the shop, Avis received a new bed, litter box, and toys thanks to donations. Then, they decided Avis would live at the shop’s front office, where he would have plenty of room to roam.
“Now, he’s home,” said Frey. “He’s just a beautiful little cat.”
Garrett Frey and Avis, Screenshot via 13 Action News
Every day, Avis greets customers.
“We all just decided he was kind of special, and a good little companion to greet customers,” Frey told 13 Action News.
“Avis the cat has take over Firelands Collision!! Ray’s her friend of the day.”
“[Avis] loves to greet customers,” Garbo said. “When they come to get their cars serviced, [he’s] very friendly. Avis is going to have a good life and be part of the Firelands family.”
Below, you can see Garrett Frey talk about finding Avis as she meets their mascot “Firelands Frank.”
Images: Screenshots via 13 Action News and Facebook/FirelandsBodyShop
