Cat survives 7-mile drive in engine compartment, is rescued by Oakdale firefighters
Firefighters in Oakdale rescued a cat Sunday after it rode seven miles while stuck in the engine compartment of a vehicle.
Modesto Fire Department Deputy Chief Darin Jesberg said the cat’s owner drove from the area of Highway 120 and Victory Avenue, north of Oakdale, to the rodeo fairgrounds on the east edge of the city. The trip was about seven miles and took 10 to 15 minutes.
The driver pulled over after hearing the cat meowing and called the Fire Department for help.
Jesberg said one of the cat’s feet was stuck in the transmission line. Firefighters freed it and returned it to its owner.
In addition to the foot injury, the cat suffered some minor burns and singed hair but is expected to be fine, Jesberg said.
He said firefighters respond to these type of calls pretty often.
Cats seek out engine compartments and other parts of vehicles as a warm place to escape the elements, but they can be killed or seriously injured when the vehicle is started and/or driven.
Here are some tips for how to avoid this situation:
▪ Bang on the hood of your car or honk your horn to wake any sleeping cats or critters that may have made your car their temporary nap room. Then wait a bit to give any animal time to escape. Caveat: The scare might cause some animals to crawl deeper into the car to hide, according to Utah State University Extension.
▪ Look under your car and check the tires for any hiding or sleeping animals.
▪ If you’re a cat owner yourself, make sure to check that Mr. Whiskers is inside the home before you lock the door. Can’t find your kitty? Follow the steps above in case your tomcat is under your Toyota.
▪ Clean up your car. That McDonald’s wrapper, and anything else that smells like food, needs to go. Utah State University Extension says food can attract rats, squirrels and other scavengers to your car.
▪ If your car is in a garage, don’t store food or trash in the garage, and seal any gaps or cracks in the garage windows and doors to avoid attracting mice, rats and other rodents, Consumer Reports suggests.
This story was originally published March 6, 2023 at 11:38 AM.
