Kittens dumped like garbage in a trash compactor made the news when a caller in La Quinta, California, phoned their local station at midnight. The call triggered a community effort to save the kittens that were “almost thrown away” (see video below).
First, a concerned citizen heard meowing from the trash compactor behind a shopping center. They tried calling the company printed on the side but couldn’t get an answer so late at night. Then, the woman called the Sheriff and Fire Department but was left frustrated.
From the sound, the would-be rescuers couldn’t tell if one or more kittens were inside the huge compactor.
“No one will help us. The store is closed, and the kitten is crying, the kittens are crying,” the woman said on a voicemail as she called the NBC Palm Springs newsroom at midnight.
Images via Facebook/Furever Home Kitty Rescue
Morning Anchor and Producer Respond to Kitten Crisis
Since it was so late at night, nobody was there to help until the following morning when the newsroom played the voicemail. Although you can imagine how busy a newsroom is, they stopped and called Riverside Animal Services for help.
“Our morning anchor and producer sprang into action once they heard that voicemail,” said NBC Palm Springs Anchor Olivia Sandusky.
By 8:30 am, Riverside Animal Services arrived at the scene, where the kittens were still inside the trash compactor. By that time, the meowing had stopped. Following up, the station photographer went to the scene.
Screenshots via YouTube/NBC Palm Springs
UPS Worker Had Already Rescued 2 Kittens
When the photographer arrived, they were relieved to hear that a UPS carrier took two kittens from the compactor site to the local shelter. However, one kitten remained inside all night. But fortunately, a cavalry of rescuers soon arrived.
“Twelve hours after the first visit, Riverside County Animal Services came back with backup.”
Images via Facebook/Furever Home Kitty Rescue
The La Quinta Cavalry Arrives
Determined to save the remaining kitten, Animal Services, Firefighters, Sheriff’s Deputies, a tow truck, and the mayor and city manager of La Quinta came to save the day! Amazingly, ten people all worked to get the tiny kitten outta there, but it wasn’t easy. They had to carefully examine the piles of trash while the kitten remained like a needle in a haystack of rubbish. Nevertheless, they searched for hours in the dark.
With the truck scheduled to pick up the trash by Friday morning, it was a huge relief when a last-ditch effort to find the kitten paid off.
An employee named Robert from the Burrtec disposal company finally found the wee kitten at 6 am and posed for a wonderful and relieving picture!
It was in the knick of time right before the scheduled garbage pickup! Now, the kitten and siblings will get all the care they need to fully recover and become adopted into loving homes.
Video by NBC Palm Springs:
A ‘Heart Thumping Rescue’
A California rescue shared the news about the “heart-thumping rescue,” thanking Coachella Valley Cat Club and many others who came to help one tiny kitten. What an amazing show of compassion!
“After spending about two hours last night, the kitten was rescued this morning. Thank you to the city of La Quinta, Mayor Linda Evans, and city manager Jon McMillen for getting everything rotating to save this kitty. Thank you to the Adams Station Fire Department, the police department and animal services for all coming together last night to help save this kitten. Without being able to locate it last night in all of the rubbage, Burrtec came out to continue the mission at 6 am and located the kitten stuck in between cardboard boxes. He is doing great and purring and snuggling…probably about four weeks [old],” shared Furever Home Kitty Rescue.
