When a family in Connecticut began hearing faint, high pitched cries, they knew something was off. Curious and concerned, they started tracing the sound through their yard.
Following the noise led them toward the concrete porch. There, they noticed a mother cat with two tiny kittens, yet it was clear these little ones were not the source of the cries.
Determined to figure it out, the family kept searching.
Cries Coming From Below
Soon, they spotted a narrow gap between the steps and the house, just wide enough for a small kitten to slip through.
They paused to listen. The crying returned, unmistakably coming from deep inside the opening.
Realizing they needed assistance, the family contacted the Danbury Fire Department (DFD).
“Tonight, a family discovered two small kittens who had fallen between a masonry wall and some pre-cast concrete stairs. The two kittens had fallen just far enough down where they couldn’t be reached and pulled out, and their heads were stuck tight between the concrete,” wrote the DFD on a Facebook post.
Firefighters Craft a Plan
At first, crews tried to reach the kittens from above, but that approach was not going to work. A different tactic was needed.
That is when the team devised an innovative plan using rescue airbags.
“Utilizing rescue [airbags], just enough force was exerted to add about [a quarter] inch of space, allowing the kittens to fall into the void below the stairs,” they wrote.
The gentle pressure created the extra room the kittens needed to slip free and drop safely to the bottom, thankfully without injury
Meanwhile, firefighters moved into position on the opposite side.
“[The] firefighters removed two rocks in an adjoining wall, and then they were able to reach in with a snare and capture both kittens,” stated the DFD.
After a tense, careful effort, both little ones were finally rescued.
Cheers broke out among the onlookers. Neighbors and family members were thrilled, and the mama cat seemed relieved as well.
“The two rogue kittens were reunited with their mom and siblings, and the neighborhood was relieved that the kittens were alright,” the department added.
Safe and Sound Again
With their ordeal behind them, the adventurous kittens returned to the best place of all, warm and safe beside their family.
Here is hoping this experience encourages them to choose solid ground next time, ideally the soft grassy kind.