The most exciting day of Evan’s young life could have occurred that day. Before being saved, the 4-month-old stray kitten guided many Good Samaritans through a whole day of humorous setbacks and close calls.
The frog played a major role in the outcome, ultimately. Indeed, a frog.
According to Samantha Ranlet, marketing communications specialist for SPCA of Wake County, “a truck driver stated that a kitten had hitched a ride deep in the structure of his recycling truck for a 10-mile journey… and then darted off before he could retrieve him.” The cat had leapt off a recycling truck, according to a different guy who works in a neighboring office building who notified rescuers.
With the help of several witnesses, SPCA Wake rescuers found the kitten, but it took some cajoling to get Evan to come out into the open.
“The little fellow came out when he saw us and the food, but kept his distance all day,” Kim, an SPCA Wake rescuer, told The Dodo. “He would come within a couple of feet from us and meow and purr, obviously letting us know that he wanted to be with us.”
Evan did, however, toy with the thought of being captured but never fully gave in. Several rescuers attempted to lure Evan with food, but it too failed to work.
The SPCA of Wake County wrote on Instagram, “He kept just enough space that no one could catch him — but made sure to be near enough to tease them.
Rescuers persevered throughout the long hours. Eventually, two more stepped in, hoping to surround lovely Evan and give help.
A rescuer was preparing to call it a night at the very end of the 12-hour day, Ranlet said. But as she finished, Evan was nearby, and a little frog leaped at at the exact moment! The rescuer Marie just needed a brief momentary distraction from the frog in order to successfully catch Evan and bring him to safety.
In Marie’s arms, Evan purred, appearing unaffected by the day’s events.
After all was said and done, Evan had a full vet check by the staff at SPCA. He’s now living with a foster — one of the rescuers — until he finds his forever home. They’re keeping a close eye on him so this doesn’t happen again.
“Sometimes it takes a lot of attempts over the course of days to catch a pet in need, but this group of heroes dedicated themselves to catching him before he could wander off and disappear,” Ranlet said. “He sure had a wild ride that day.”
