Surprise traveler trapped beneath car for hundreds of miles gets new chance at life
An animal discovered wedged beneath a car after the vehicle traveled hundreds of miles from New Jersey to Georgia is recovering after an unusual rescue on a college campus.
The roughly 10-week-old kitten, now named Jersey, was discovered Aug. 10 after University of Georgia student Jadyn Sawyer arrived on campus from New Jersey and spotted one of the cat's legs dangling from beneath her vehicle, Kelly Bettinger of Cat Zip Alliance - Campus Cats told Fox News Digital.
Bettinger, founder of the nonprofit, said Sawyer called UGA Police, who then contacted the organization for help.
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Bettinger and fellow volunteer Lisa Donovan arrived to find Jersey wedged into a small space beneath the car.
"I'll admit my heart dropped at first as I thought the kitten wasn't alive, but thankfully he cried and moved when I touched his leg," Bettinger said.
After officers were unable to reach him, the car was taken to a nearby Tires Plus, where mechanics placed it on a lift and removed the front driver's side tire before Jersey could finally be pulled free.
The young cat was hot and panting but quickly settled down in air conditioning and showed no visible injuries, according to Bettinger.
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A veterinary exam the following day found him healthy aside from a minor upper respiratory infection and coccidia, an intestinal parasite commonly found in kittens that are born outdoors.
The small animal initially appeared frightened of people but quickly began warming up to his rescuers, Bettinger said.
"He's now talkative, playful, likes to be held and really sweet," she said.
Rita Reimers, a North Carolina-based certified cat behaviorist, told Fox News Digital that kittens can crawl into vehicles while looking for shelter or protection.
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"Cats can hide in the smallest little places," Reimers said. "If their head fits, their body will fit."
Drivers should be particularly cautious in areas where outdoor cats are common, said Reimers.
"I always tell people, especially in the winter, but all year long, if you park your car outside before you start it, bang on the hood," she said.
Jersey is now staying in a foster home and is expected to be neutered, microchipped and vaccinated against rabies on Sept. 1.
Sawyer's sister and her fiancé in New Jersey plan to adopt Jersey, Bettinger said — so the kitten will eventually make its way back to the state where his unexpected journey apparently began.
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"Now we have to figure out the logistics to get him back to New Jersey the first week of September, in a much safer and more comfortable way than as a stowaway." Bettinger said.