Mary Wolford and her family were on a routine drive, expecting nothing unusual. The journey felt like any other, until they reached their destination and parked the car.
As the engine quieted, faint cries began to echo from somewhere inside the vehicle. Alarmed, the family rushed to open the hood. What they saw staring back at them was something they never could have imagined.
A Tiny Passenger Hidden Beneath The Hood
Nestled deep inside the engine compartment was a small kitten who had unknowingly traveled the entire distance tucked beneath the hood.
“Everyone was shocked that he was alive,” Mary Wolford told The Dodo. “He rode probably 20 or 30 miles in there.”
Only his little head was visible, and the family couldn’t tell if he was hurt. What they did know was that he needed help, and fast.
The kitten, later named Raccoon, cried out as they tried to reach him.
They managed to pull him free, but just as relief set in, Raccoon wriggled out of their grasp and darted under a nearby car.
“When we got to him under the first car, he ran off and went into another! Thankfully, that time he was somewhat easy to reach from under the hood as opposed to under the car/engine,” Mary added.
Determined not to lose him again, the family launched a second rescue. This time, they held on tight, finally knowing he was safe.
A Nervous Kitten Begins To Trust
On the way to his new home, Raccoon’s fear was evident. He hissed and curled into the corner of the carrier, overwhelmed by the sudden change.
“He was scared, hissing and trying to hide in the corner of the carrier when we got him. He was pretty wary of everything for the first several days. We think he was a stray, so while not fully feral, he was pretty apprehensive,” Mary explained.
Though he remained guarded at first, the Wolford family was patient. Slowly, Raccoon began to understand that he was safe. His walls came down, and he started to bond with his new family.
“He is doing great. It took some time for everyone to get acquainted, but overall, he’s getting along with everyone,” Mary said.
Even the family’s dogs welcomed him with open hearts, though Raccoon wasn’t quite ready to return the favor.
Mary shares: “The only hurdle now is the dogs … he has yet to give them a chance. It’s kind of funny to see him fluff up and hiss at my Great Dane, who just wonders what his problem is.”
From Fear To Family
With time, Raccoon is sure to warm up to his canine companions just as he has with his humans. His days of hiding and uncertainty are behind him, replaced with comfort and love.
His story is a reminder that it’s a good idea to check under the hood before starting your car, especially during colder seasons. Small animals often seek warmth in dangerous places, unaware of the risks.