A routine stop for coffee turned into an extraordinary animal rescue after a tiny kitten became trapped inside the front of a customer’s car, prompting tow truck operators to partially dismantle the vehicle to save its life.
The Washington Post reported the dramatic rescue unfolded on July 27 at a Scooter’s Coffee drive-through in Ames, where the driver heard faint meowing coming from her Honda after placing her order. When she stepped outside to investigate the meowing, she discovered a small kitten lodged behind the vehicle’s front grille.
Unable to free the frightened animal on her own, the driver called for help. Within minutes, animal control officers, tow truck operators and coffee shop staff were working together to rescue the kitten before the extreme summer heat could take its toll.
Tiny Kitten Found Stuck Behind Car Grille
An animal services officer from Ames Animal Shelter responded but quickly realized the kitten could not be safely reached through the grille. The driver told rescuers the kitten did not belong to her and, unbeknownst to her, she had no idea how it had ended up inside her car.
With temperatures reaching 96 degrees and a heat index of about 118 degrees, rescuers knew they were against the clock. The kitten remained trapped deep inside the car’s front end, necessitating a more complex rescue, prompting Central Iowa Towing and Recovery to assist.
Tow truck operators Jordan McKnight and Cole Denning raised the Honda to inspect it from underneath, then decided the safest option was to partially dismantle the vehicle’s front end.
The crew carefully removed panels surrounding the hood and headlights, creating enough space for Denning to reach inside and gently pull the kitten free. Once work began, the duo completed the heroic rescue in roughly 15 minutes.
Community Rallies Around Rescue
Customers waiting in the drive-through patiently watched as the rescue unfolded, while Scooter’s Coffee employees assisted responders however they could. Animal services officer Kathy Pike later praised everyone involved for working together to save the kitten despite the unusual circumstances.
After being rescued, the kitten was cooled with water before being transported to a veterinarian. The approximately two-month-old cat was found to have a fever and a blister on one paw but was otherwise healthy.
“Fika” Finds a Home
Pike later named the kitten “Fika,” the Swedish word for a coffee break, in recognition of where the rescue took place.
While recovering at Ames Animal Shelter, Fika attracted multiple adoption applications, including one from tow truck operator Jordan McKnight. The name sounds familiar, right? That’s because McKnight was one of the tow truck operators who helped rescue Fika from the car.
He was ultimately selected as Fika’s adopter and has since taken her home. He plans to officially complete the adoption after the kitten is spayed. What began as an ordinary stop for coffee has ended with a remarkable rescue and a forever home for the precious cat.