A community rallied together to help find a kitten tossed from a vehicle window. After a witness saw the passenger in a car throw the kitten, it landed in a canola field. Then, finding the kitten in the tall grass and yellow flowers would be next to impossible. Amazingly, 25 people from the surrounding areas came to search for the kitten.
“Searchers found a needle in a haystack, or rather, a kitten in a canola field Tuesday afternoon north of High River,” reported Okotoksonline.
Field where the kitten was tossed via Facebook
Witness Sees Kitten Tossed from High-Speed Vehicle
One Tuesday morning, around 10:30 am Sandra Jones was driving to get a coffee in High River, south of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Then, she saw what she described as a silver SUV going by at high speed. Inside, the passenger tossed the kitten into the ditch.
“Just witnessed a horrible and evil couple throwing a baby kitten out their window while driving down 498 by the agricultural society,” she posted.
Immediately, Jones went into action, running across the street, only to lose sight of the frightened kitten in the tall grass.
“At first, I thought, ‘Did this really happen, or did this cat run out into the field from under the wheels?'” asked Jones. “But we caught up, and I thought, ‘Oh my God,’ so I immediately parked, ran across the street in front of a transport. But I lost the kitten in the ditch.”
Addressing the couple in the vehicle, she said:
“You could have just brought the kittens into a pound or shelter and said you found them if you didn’t want the responsibility. No need for malicious animal abuse.”
Images via Facebook, Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue Foundation
25 People Search for Kitten Tossed from Car
Although Jones lost the kitten, she didn’t give up and called in reinforcements. And boy, did they come!
Taking to social media, she posted on a local forum, and the response was incredible. Over 179 people commented and shared the post, as people from far and wide offered to search. Others offered to care for the kitten once found, and a local group, Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue, offered to help.
Meanwhile, Jones went to buy food to try to entice the kitten out of the weeds.
“I posted it on the High River Rant And Rave Group, and honestly, 25 people came out. It was amazing,” Jones says. “We had people from Okotoks come driving down. We had people from Black Diamond. It was unbelievable. The community here in High River and surrounding area is just amazing.”
From 10:30 that morning until 2 pm, the search continued with the landowner’s permission. Finally, the searchers located the kitten. Fortunately, other than a sore mouth, the frightened kitten was doing fine.
“Tanya Vander Ploeg, Amber Garofano, and Christine Doepe were able to locate it with the help of several others,” wrote Don McCracken. “A Fountain Tire employee even brought out his truck and turned the lights on for them during his lunch break.”
As you can see in the picture, they are thrilled to have the little grey kitten safe and sound.
“Amber Garofano, Tanya Vander Ploeg, and Christine Doepe were among the searchers who found a kitten that had been tossed from a vehicle north of High River.” Image via Okotoksonline.
Kitten Named 498
Following the amazing search and rescue, the kitten went to receive care at Heaven Can Wait. There, she earned the name “498” and received a full veterinary checkup. After receiving treatment, pain medication, and x-rays, 498 would need time to heal and recuperate. Then, thanks to all the people who rallied together, 498 would begin a new life.
“An update on the wee kitten from 498 Ave who someone witnessed being tossed from a vehicle … the wound to her chin has been stitched and is healing, but she still has some abdominal swelling that is a concern, and is currently being monitored by ourselves and our vet, of course. A huge thank you to all the people who came forward offering to adopt this wee girl, and for your empathy to be moved by her story. There is a home waiting for her (with one of the people who searched for her!) as soon as we know she is okay to release,” posted Heaven Can Wait (HCW).
498 Adopted with a New Pal
Finally, Amber Garofano adopted the kitten. Plus, she took in a little friend along with 498 too!
“What a great adoption … Amber has welcomed both these lucky kittens into her home! She was instrumental in searching for wee 498 Ave who was witnessed being thrown from a vehicle a few weeks back. An injury to her chin had to heal, and while she was healing, we buddied her up with Longview Hall, a younger kitten who had a wound to her tail that required amputation. These two struck up an immediate friendship, and it’s just so lovely that Amber was willing to commit to not just one, but two kittens. Thank you so much!” posted HCW.
Thus, a happy ending and what a wonderful community there is in High River!
Amber Garofano via Facebook/ Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue Foundation
