Kitten Rescued After Traffic Stops on Route 36 in Atlantic Highlands
A tiny kitten was safely rescued after ending up in traffic on Route 36 in Atlantic Highlands on Monday. The save became a community effort, with bystanders, a truck driver, an SUV driver and police all playing a part.
Atlantic Highlands police said officers were sent after a 911 call about a kitten on the highway. According to bystanders, the small cat crossed Route 36 and made it over the jersey barrier, bringing vehicles on the heavily traveled road to a stop to avoid hitting it.
A truck driver got out and tried to catch the kitten. Instead, the kitten ran and climbed into the engine compartment of an SUV that was stopped in traffic. Police said the SUV driver knew the kitten was inside the vehicle and stayed put.
When officers arrived, the SUV was placed in neutral and pushed into a nearby parking lot. Officers at the scene, along with the truck driver, tried multiple times to reach the kitten near the engine area, but could not get it out.
Patrolman Davi Cunha was eventually able to pull the kitten to safety through the front driver side wheel well.
Where the kitten went next
The kitten was turned over to the Monmouth County SPCA after the rescue.
Police said anyone missing a grey and white kitten should contact the Monmouth County SPCA. For cat owners, it was the kind of roadside moment no one wants to imagine, and one that ended with strangers and first responders making sure a very small traveler got off the highway alive.
Why kittens end up near roads
Young kittens can wander into dangerous places because they are curious, easily startled, and not yet good at judging noise or movement. Some hide under parked cars for warmth or shelter. Others may be separated from their mother while she is moving the litter, or they may have been born outdoors and learned to stay silent and still when frightened.
A kitten that seems alone is not always abandoned. If the area is safe enough to watch from a distance, the mother may return. But a busy roadway is different. Fast traffic, heat from pavement, and loud noise make it an emergency.
How to help without making things worse
Your first job is safety. Do not run into traffic. If you cannot reach the kitten without putting yourself or drivers at risk, call for trained help such as local animal control, road assistance, or a nearby rescue group.
If you can approach safely, move slowly and stay low. A soft voice, a towel, or a carrier can help contain a scared kitten. Gloves are useful, but even tiny kittens can scratch or bite when terrified. Keep the kitten away from more noise and movement as quickly as possible.
What a rescued kitten needs next
Warmth comes first. Very young kittens can chill quickly, so place them in a box or carrier lined with a towel. Offer quiet and security, not a bath right away. Cow's milk is not a good choice for kittens. If the kitten is bright and old enough to eat on its own, offer water and kitten food. If it seems very young, weak, injured, or has trouble breathing, get veterinary help promptly.
If there is any chance a mother cat is nearby, ask a rescue or clinic for advice on reunification and safe trapping.
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