A stray kitten made an extraordinary journey from Mount Laurel, New Jersey, to Athens, Georgia, after apparently hiding in the undercarriage of a college student’s car. The kitten, later named Jersey, remained hidden for roughly 800 miles before someone finally spotted him.
His rescue required help from campus police, animal rescuers and an auto-repair team. Because Jersey was lodged deep inside the vehicle, part of the car had to be dismantled before he could be safely removed. He was later recovering and expected to enter the adoption process.
The Kitten Was Found in Athens
College student Jadyn Sawyer discovered something was wrong after returning to the University of Georgia campus. While her car was parked, she noticed a tiny paw reaching from underneath the vehicle and realized a kitten was trapped inside.
He Had Traveled From New Jersey
The kitten had apparently climbed into the vehicle before Sawyer left Mount Laurel, New Jersey. He then remained hidden during the approximately 800-mile trip to Athens, Georgia, an unusual journey that lasted about 11 hours.
Rescuers Could Not Reach Him
After Sawyer contacted campus police, rescuers including Kelly Bettinger of Cat Zip Alliance worked to locate the kitten. Jersey was positioned so deeply inside the vehicle that reaching him safely was difficult, making a simple extraction impossible.
The Car Had to Be Taken Apart
The rescue eventually involved staff at a Tires Plus location on College Station Road in Athens. Workers dismantled part of the vehicle to reach Jersey and free him without causing further harm. The shop reportedly declined payment for helping with the rescue.
Jersey Survived the Long Ride
Despite spending hours hidden inside the vehicle, Jersey reportedly survived the journey without major injuries. He was recovering after his rescue, turning what could have been a tragic accident into a successful animal rescue.
He Was Given a New Name
Rescuers named the kitten Jersey, reflecting the place where his unexpected journey began. Cat Zip Alliance/Campus Cats works with cats and kittens around the University of Georgia and operates adoption programs for cats that can be placed in homes.
He Could Soon Find a Home
According to the report, Jersey was expected to become available for adoption through Campus Cats/Cat Zip Alliance. The organization says its adoptable cats receive veterinary care that can include vaccinations, microchipping, parasite treatment and spay or neuter surgery.
Cars Can Hide Dangerous Surprises
Cats sometimes crawl beneath or into vehicles seeking shelter, particularly around warm engines. Animal-welfare organizations recommend checking around a vehicle and tapping the hood before starting it, especially when cats may be seeking warmth.
Featured Image: Photo by Swapnil Kulkarni on Pexels
