A kitten somehow got deep inside a Pepsi machine outside a Walmart in Tennessee. But thankfully, a cat lover who was determined to save her happened to be within earshot that day.
Lindsey Russell from Morristown, Tennessee, was taking a lunch break during work at Walmart. She was sitting in her car in the parking lot. Then, she heard something that sounded like an animal in distress and went to investigate. As she got closer, she determined that the sounds were coming from the vending machines!
Then, Russell discovered the sounds appeared to be from a scared kitten, but she couldn’t see it. Somehow, the tiny kitten managed to get deep inside and was trapped.
So, Russell spent her lunch break and the rest of her remaining break trying to save the kitten, but it was no use.
“I tried all through my lunch and my last break to get her,” Russell told WVLT.
Screenshot via YouTube/WVLT News
Not giving up, she called in backup from her coworkers.
“I tried recruiting coworkers to help me get her, and none of us could do it,” Russell said.
Russell with the kitten nicknamed Pepsi via Facebook/ City of Morristown.
At that point, Russell and the employees decided they had to call in help from the Morristown Fire Department.
Kitten Stuck in a Pepsi Machine
When firefighters from Station 1 arrived, Russell told them the kitten was stuck in the Pepsi machine. That’s when fireman Doug Allison arrived on the scene and got to work to free the “wiggly” kitty. After taking off one panel, the kitten was still out of sight, so he had to go into the back of the machine.
“Crews could hear the kitten crying. They unplugged the machine and removed the cover on the back, but couldn’t see the kitten. They found another opening where they could see it and coaxed it out,” stated the City of Morristown.
Doug Allison goes into the machine to free the kitten
It took about ten minutes to get the kitten free, and soon the furry soda pop was safely in the arms of a smiling Russell. Allison said acting fast had probably saved the kitten’s life. Afterward, the young woman took the kitten home and to a veterinarian for a look over.
According to WVLT’s Amanda Hara, the kitten was doing fine:
“Morristown Fire was worried about the kitten becoming dehydrated with it being in a hot compacted area of the machine, but the kitten is doing ok. She actually went to the vet clinic to do a checkup – everything looks good. They found the kitten only weighs about one pound.”
The kitten shortly after rescue in a safe area via Facebook/Lindsey Russell
Russell confirmed the kitten was safe and sound.
“Thank you to Dr. Leslie at easy vet, all of her tests came back negative, she had some fleas but that was it she was also treated for worms, got her SNAP shots, and some flea medicine she is all of 1lbs and is in good health,” commented Russell.
Dr. Leslie with kitten dubbed ‘Pepsi’
Happily the little furbaby was fine, but given even an hour longer in the hot machine; the outcome could have been tragic. Fortunately, Russell is a cat lover who has rescued cats with her mom and was at the right place at just the right time.
“I did what most people would do and what I’ve done my whole life,” she said.
Russell with the kitten nicknamed Pepsi via Facebook/ City of Morristown.
It wasn’t the first time she had saved a kitten, or even at a shopping center.
“I actually rescued another [kitten] from Food City a couple of years back,” Russell explained.
Below, you can see the kitten safe at home via Facebook:
At home, the kitten has a loving Cat Dad too.
You can see how loved she is, and will never have to think about being stuck in any Pepsi machine again.
Pepper Wins the Cola Wars
Since the kitten seemed to choose a Pepsi machine, many people, including the fire crew, suggested Russell name the kitten Pepsi. However, it appears she eventually became a Pepper too.
The kitten earned many nicknames that day.
“This is Pepper, Pepsi, Pep, whatever you’d like to call her. She’s got a few nicknames now,” Russell said.
Video via WVLT News:
