Most days on the freeway involve speeding tickets, fender benders, and the occasional driver who thinks the carpool lane is a suggestion. But every once in a while, California Highway Patrol officers get a call that has nothing to do with cars at all, at least not directly. That was the case recently along northbound State Route 2 south of the 210 interchange in Altadena, where a routine patrol turned into a full blown kitten rescue operation.
Officer S. Mkrtchyan was working that stretch of freeway when he spotted something small and furry perched precariously on the center median wall. For anyone who has driven a California freeway, you know that’s about the worst possible place for a tiny animal to be hanging out. Traffic doesn’t exactly slow down for wildlife, so the officer made the call to coordinate a traffic break, the same maneuver troopers use to clear lanes for debris, stalled vehicles, or anything else that has no business being in the middle of the freeway.
Here’s where things got interesting. The kitten, apparently unfamiliar with the concept of being rescued, decided the safest place in the world was directly underneath Officer Mkrtchyan’s patrol vehicle. Anyone who has ever tried to coax a cat out from under a car knows exactly how that goes. It’s basically a hostage negotiation, except the hostage taker is a two pound kitten with zero interest in your timeline.
Fortunately, the officer didn’t have to handle this one solo. Freeway Service Patrol and Pasadena Humane Animal Control both responded to help get the kitten out safely, according to the CHP Altadena Facebook page. After a bit of teamwork, the little furball was pulled from underneath the vehicle and transported to the animal shelter, safe and sound.
A Traffic Break for a Tiny Passenger
Traffic breaks are usually reserved for serious stuff, spilled cargo, disabled big rigs, that sort of thing. Seeing one used to protect a kitten shows that officers are willing to slow down an entire freeway for a life that weighs less than a bag of sugar.
It’s a small moment, but it says a lot about the job beyond the radar guns and citations.
Getting the Kitten Out From Under the Cruiser
Photos from the scene show officers actually lifting the patrol car to check underneath for their tiny stowaway, which honestly might be the most effort anyone has ever put into finding something that small.
It’s the kind of scene that would make for a great sitcom episode if it wasn’t already real life.
Teamwork Made the Rescue Possible
This wasn’t a one officer show. Between CHP, Freeway Service Patrol, and Pasadena Humane, it took a small village to get this kitten to safety.
As Officer R. Diaz put it, no call is too small when public safety, four legged or otherwise, is on the line.