Ohio kitten rescued from excavator finds a home as a construction crew's shop cat
In Ohio, a tiny kitten now called Sue made herself impossible to ignore from inside an excavator. Her cries led River Reach Construction's crew to an unusual rescue that ended with a foster home, internet fans, and a place with the team that found her.
The moment that changed everything started with meowing from a machine. River Reach Construction later shared video from the rescue on social media in July, showing the crew gathering around one of its excavators after realizing a kitten was stuck inside.
Chase Guello, the company's operating supervisor, can be heard in the video describing the day's mission as something very different from their usual equipment work. The kitten kept crying out while Guello worked to reach her, then freed her from the bottom of the excavator.
The crew gave the kitten a name that matched the machine she came from. They called her Sue because the excavator was a Komatsu.
From rescue mission to crew favorite
After getting Sue out, the team was not able to find her mother. Guello said they took the kitten to a known kitten foster family, where she could get healthy and receive the attention she needed.
Sue's story did not stop with the rescue. She became part of the construction crew's extended family and drew a warm response online. Guello said brands even sent gifts for the tiny newcomer, including a kitten-sized safety vest and a hard hat made for a baby cat.
The plan for Sue is close to where her story began. Guello said River Reach Construction's shop mechanic, Jared, and his family will care for her, and Sue will continue on as the company's "shop cat." For a kitten first discovered at the bottom of an excavator, it is a fitting new job description.
Why kittens turn up around equipment and work sites
Kittens are often found in sheds, garages, barns, parked vehicles and heavy equipment because these places feel warm, enclosed and hidden. Very young cats also stay quiet for long stretches, so a litter can be nearby without being obvious until a machine starts moving or workers hear cries.
If you suspect a kitten is inside or under equipment, stop the machine and check carefully before restarting. Tap the hood, open access panels only if it is safe, and use a flashlight to look into tight spaces. Gloves and a towel can help with a frightened kitten, but move slowly to avoid bites or a panic scramble deeper into the machinery. If the kitten is trapped, mechanical rescue is safer than force. A local animal shelter or veterinarian can advise on next steps.
What a found kitten needs first
The first priorities are warmth, quiet and a basic health check. A chilled kitten may be weak, wobbly or unusually still. Warm it gradually with a wrapped heating pad on low or a warm water bottle under part of a box, leaving room to crawl away from the heat. Offer water, but be careful with food if the kitten is very young. Cow's milk is not a good substitute and can upset the stomach.
Look for obvious problems such as discharge from the eyes or nose, sneezing, diarrhea, limping, fleas or labored breathing. Kittens can decline quickly, so prompt veterinary guidance matters. If the kitten seems healthy and old enough to move around well, a safe carrier, litter tray, shallow dishes and a separate room away from other pets are the basics while you arrange care.
When a workplace cat can be a good fit
Some adult cats do well as shop, barn or warehouse cats, but a workplace is not automatically a safe home. A good setup includes shelter from weather, reliable food and water, a clean resting area, regular veterinary care, parasite prevention and a plan for closing time, holidays and emergencies. Cats should also have a way to stay clear of moving vehicles, chemicals, sharp tools and open pits.
If other animals are on site, introduce them slowly. Keep a new cat separated at first, swap bedding scents, and supervise early meetings. Microchipping, a collar with identification if safe to wear, and a consistent caregiver help prevent a friendly stray from becoming an unclaimed cat again. Even a cat that loves people still needs routine care, not just affection and a nickname.
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