New Bedford Mechanic Shocked to Find Live Cat Trapped in Spare Tire

Sometimes the strangest stories end up having the happiest endings.

That was exactly the case this week at Pinnacle Auto Sales in New Bedford when owner Russ Leite got a phone call that caught him completely off guard. A truck he had recently sent out for service was ready to go, but there was just one problem: mechanics discovered a live cat trapped on top of the vehicle’s spare tire with its paws sticking through the holes.

“I’m not quite sure how these things happen to me,” Leite lightheartedly wrote in a Facebook post while asking for advice on how to safely rescue the frightened feline.

Thankfully, the situation quickly turned into a full-on team effort. New Bedford Animal Control Officer Manny Maciel responded to help, along with mechanic Deniile Waltz, and after nearly two hours of careful work, the orange tabby was finally freed safely and without injuries.

A Rescue That Could Have Gone Very Wrong

Leite later shared the good news online, calling it a “happy ending” and thanking Maciel for stepping in to help save the cat. According to Leite, the orange tabby appeared healthy, friendly and surprisingly calm considering the bizarre situation it had just survived.

“That was a very happy ending that could have went sideways quickly,” Leite told Fun 107. “It turned out to be a healthy full-grown cat and uninjured with a great personality. It did not appear wild and hopefully will find a great home.”

Orange Tabby Now Safe With Animal Control

Maciel took custody of the cat following the rescue to make sure it stayed safe while officials work toward finding it a home or locating a possible owner.

READ MORE: Did You Know That Massachusetts Has an Official State Cat?

Honestly, it’s hard not to wonder how the cat ended up stuck near the spare tire in the first place. However it happened, one thing is certain: this curious orange tabby used up at least one of its nine lives.