A tiny black kitten named Rice Cake with big lungs and a lot to say, unknowingly led rescuers to her hiding place. Most likely trying to stay warm, the kitten crawled up inside a car. But she was afraid to come out, and started mewing loudly for help.
At first, the rescuers in Sunset Park could only hear the cries, and it took some work to locate the source. Then, multiple rescuers from Sunset Park, Brooklyn, came together to free ‘Rice Cake’ from the car.
“This spunky kitten (with great lungs) was pulled out of the car, covered in grease and fleas,” they shared.
Once free, the rescuers gave Rice Cake a bath and a snack, and she started talking again.
Rice Cake was “purring and making biscuits after her first bath and snack. Welcome to the good (and clean) life, Rice Cake! We can’t wait to hear more of your stories.”
The kitten enjoyed being cuddled and wouldn’t have to worry ever again.
Images and media via Instagram/catcafebk
Everyone Loves This Rice Cake
Lots of people had reactions to seeing Rice Cake’s rescue, including some funny ones:
“Rice Cake was hoping to get to Florida for the winter! Darn Brooklyn rescuers!” said one person.
“I love Rice Cake. She would fit in very well with my other food cats – Cheese and Chapati 🧀 🫓 ” said another person.
“👏❤️Thank God this little baby meowed in time , was heard, and thank you ever so much to the fine-eared and compassionate humans who led the investigation and saved [her] from a horrible death!” said another person.
More on the Dramatic Rescue
On Instagram, a rescuer who goes by “My Feral Lady” shared a picture of Rice Cake that’s just too cute.
“I fell in love so fast! You’re gonna do great with the heroes at the Brooklyn Cat Cafe,” she said.
Image via Instagram/my.feral.lady
She worked with multiple rescuers, including Sunset Park Cats, to save the kitten. Fortunately, the cars owner didn’t return to drive away before they arrived.
“I had previous cat-related responsibilities, so Sunset Park Cats took over and pulled the baby out with their bare hands! She was filthy with grease and fleas but purring and making biscuits already after a dawn bath and a full can of food,” she said.
Sunset Park Cats shared that Rice Cake was about four weeks old. They had to work together for hours to get her free.
“Today, I arrived on the scene with My Feral Lady where a kitten was stuck in the underside of a car. This was a small baby, maybe four weeks old. We tried putting a kitten trap, but that really didn’t seem to be working,” they explained.
They continued working for about two hours to save the kitten, using kitten sounds, including kitten meowing videos on YouTube to lure her out.
“I tried crouching down right under the car and mimicking the kitten’s meow with my voice. Whenever I did that, the kitten would come towards me, poke its head out, and meow at me. But it was still very skittish and not close enough for me to grab. And then it would keep getting scared and retreating.”
“I crouched under the car, in the most uncomfortable position, I might add – knees on the asphalt and craning my neck, and had a conversation with that kitten for literally two hours (with lots of breaks). I finally gained the kitten’s trust enough for me to reach my arm into the car’s underside, scruff the kitten and pull her out.”
Image and media via Instagram/sunsetparkcats
Brooklyn Cat Cafe
Here’s more about the wonderful Brooklyn Cat Cafe, which shared the story of Rice Cake. They’re doing great things for animals in New York.
“Since opening in 2016, we have rescued over 5,000 cats and more than 100 other animals including dogs, guinea pigs, rats, rabbits, mice and a chicken. Well over 3,000 animals have been placed in permanent adoptive homes and over 800 cats have been TNRed. In 2021 we started the BBAWC rescue clinic which so far has done over 4,500 exams and over 1,200 spay/neuter surgeries,” they shared.
Could that be Rice Cake in the video below?
Checking Cars for Kittens
It can happen at any time of year, but when the weather gets cold, cats and kittens may take refuge in a vehicle. We’ve shared so many stories about it, and it’s a good reminder to check before starting up your vehicle.
What to do in and around your car:
- Tap on the hood a few times.
- Stomp on the floorboards when you get inside (with the added benefit of knocking the debris loose from your shoes).
- If you’re unsure, honk the horn and peak under the car and around the wheel wells.
- As you do all this, listen for tiny mews like the one Rice Cake makes.
When it comes to kittens and cars, the grease gets everywhere, so if you find a kitten, it’s time to clean off the oil before you head to the veterinarian. If they are left to lick the oil, it can be harmful. But, if a kitten is scared, you could easily get scratched or bitten. First, put on gloves and use a towel to wrap the kitten gently like a “purrito.”
Here are some helpful tips we shared from The Oregonian:
“Dilute the motor oil with an edible oil, such as butter, Crisco, or cooking oil – never use tea tree oil or eucalyptus oils, gasoline, or paint thinners. Rub it on your fingers and work it into the cat’s fur.
Then bathe her with a mild dish soap (not dishwasher detergent, which is toxic to cats) such as Dawn, which Houchen recommends for its degreasing qualities. If you need help removing the cat from your car in the first place, call your county animal control, the police non-emergency number or 911.”
You can also call your local cat rescues, a veterinarian, or the Humane Society for advice. With a little extra vigilance, we can help save the cats and kittens that are trying to stay safe and warm.
