A kitten has been rescued from a drainage pipe in Florida after a heroic operation that involved descending a huge drainpipe and crawling 150ft in the dark.
The kitten, now named “Pipes” was heard meowing from inside the pipe near the Escambia Regional Juvenile Detention Center on Monday.
ECSO Master Deputy Liddell initially heard the kitten’s cries and contacted Escambia County Animal Welfare for assistance.
Lead Animal Welfare Officer Sgt. Merideth Roberson responded to the call and located the kitten within the drainage system.
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“I could hear it loudly, but I still couldn’t see it,” Sgt. Roberson said. “I played mama cat noises again, then I saw his beady little eyeballs way at the end of the tunnel.”
After unsuccessful attempts to lure the kitten out, Sgt. Roberson, equipped with a ladder and walkie-talkie provided by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies, entered the pipe herself.
“I started crawling down the tunnel, and the kitten took off running,” Sgt. Roberson recounted.
“I go to turn back around and leave because I don’t think I’m going to be able to catch it – but then I turned back around and saw it was trapped at the end of the tunnel. I was able to snatch him up and then army crawl back to the ladder.”
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Sgt. Roberson, who estimated she crawled approximately 50 yards through the pipe, expressed her gratitude for the training she received as part of Escambia County Animal Welfare’s Animal Search and Rescue (ASAR) team.
“I was a little scared crawling down in there,” she admitted. “I’m just super thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to do things like this and that I’ve received training to do my job the best that I can do.”
Following the rescue, “Pipes” was examined by a veterinarian at Escambia County Animal Welfare and given a clean bill of health. He is expected to be available for adoption soon at the Escambia County Animal Shelter.
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“I am super thankful we were able to get him out and help give him a second chance at life,” Sgt. Roberson said. “Hopefully, Pipes will get adopted and find a good home.”
Escambia County Animal Welfare Director John Robinson praised the team’s dedication, stating: “I’m so proud of our team for constantly going above and beyond to care for animals in our community, whether it’s helping them find forever homes or performing rescues like this.
“Sgt. Roberson did not hesitate to jump into action, putting her own comfort aside to help this kitten in distress.
“Through her actions along with help from the Sheriff’s Office, Pipes the kitten now has a chance to find a loving family to care for him.”