Rescued From an Excavator, Tiny Kitten Sue Joins an Ohio Construction Crew
A routine equipment check at an Ohio construction site turned into an animal rescue when a tiny orange kitten was discovered inside an excavator's engine bay. The kitten, later named Komatsu, or Sue, did not just make it out safely. She became part of the crew.
Found where heavy equipment was supposed to be the only surprise
The moment that changed Sue's path came at a job site in Leavittsburg, where RiverReach Construction operating supervisor Chase Guello was examining an excavator. Instead of finding only machinery, he found a tiny orange kitten inside the engine bay.
The discovery immediately gave the construction crew a new problem to solve. Workers tried to find the kitten's mother and any siblings in the area, but they were unable to locate them. With no other cats found nearby, attention turned to the kitten that had been pulled from the machine.
The company gave her a name tied directly to where she was found. She was named Komatsu, after the excavator brand, with Sue becoming the short version the crew could use every day. What started as an unexpected rescue at a job site quickly became something more personal for the people working there.
From foster care to a permanent place with the team
Sue's next stop was foster care, where she spent two weeks. After that, she was placed with RiverReach's shop mechanic, Jared, and his family.
That arrangement was not described as a short-term fix. Guello said Sue is expected to travel to and from work with Jared once she is old enough, and that she will eventually become a shop cat under his supervision. In other words, the kitten found in a piece of construction equipment is now set to grow into a regular presence around the business.
The plan gives Sue both a home life and a future at the company that pulled her from the excavator. Rather than being remembered only as an unusual rescue, she is now part of RiverReach's day-to-day story, with a role that connects her to the same workplace where she was first spotted inside the machine.
A viral rescue and gear sized for a kitten
Sue's rescue did not stay confined to the crew that found her. Video of the moment spread widely online and eventually reached officials at Komatsu.
The company's response added a fitting final detail to the kitten's construction site origin story. Komatsu sent RiverReach a tiny safety vest and a tiny hard hat for Sue.
That made the newest member of the Ohio construction crew look the part as well as live it. The kitten discovered in an excavator engine bay now has a name linked to the machine, a place with Jared and his family, and a future as a shop cat. For a rescue that began with a close look under the hood, it ended with Sue gaining both a home and a place on the crew.
Why kittens turn up in equipment and work sites
Very young cats look for small, dark, sheltered places. An idle vehicle, stack of materials, crawl space or piece of heavy equipment can feel warm, hidden and safe, especially in cool or wet weather. Mothers may also move litters more than once if they think a spot is too exposed.
That is why workers and drivers are often told to pause before starting up. A quick walk around the machine, a knock on the bodywork and a listen for crying can prevent an injury. Pets and strays are also drawn to job sites by food scraps, standing water and shelter under trailers or pallets. Keeping break areas tidy and checking equipment before use are simple habits that protect animals and people.
What to do if you find a kitten
Start by slowing the scene down. If the kitten is inside machinery, do not reach into moving parts or try to pull it out by force. Shut equipment off, secure the area and use a flashlight to locate the animal. Gentle voices, a towel and a small carrier can help. If access is tight or dangerous, call animal control, a local shelter or a veterinarian for advice.
Look for signs that a mother cat is nearby, but balance that with immediate safety. A healthy kitten in a sheltered place may be part of an outdoor litter. A kitten in active equipment, traffic or extreme weather needs help sooner. After rescue, keep the kitten warm, quiet and contained. Do not give cow's milk, which can upset digestion. Fresh water is fine for older kittens, but very young kittens need age appropriate feeding guidance from a rescue group or clinic.
First care after rescue
A rescued kitten should be checked for dehydration, injuries, fleas and discharge from the eyes or nose. Warmth matters first. Very small kittens can decline quickly if they get chilled, so use a wrapped heating source on one side of a box or carrier so the kitten can move away if too warm.
If the finder cannot keep the kitten, taking clear photos, noting exactly where it was found and contacting nearby shelters or foster networks can speed placement. If the kitten stays in a workplace for any length of time, set clear boundaries: safe indoor rest space, no roaming around active equipment, regular feeding, litter access and a plan for veterinary care. Even a friendly foundling needs a scan for a microchip and a basic health check before joining other pets.
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