Catsnip Etc, a TNR (trap-neuter-return) focused rescue in Elkhart, Indiana, was contacted about a litter of kittens found in a hole under the sidewalk.

The area was not safe for the kittens, and they needed to be rescued as soon as possible. Paige, Carl, and Helen, volunteers of Catsnip Etc, sprang into action and arrived with tools to help bring those babies to safety. “When they called and said kittens needed help, we came with poles, duct tape, a net and flashlights,” the rescue shared.

The hole was so small that they had to shovel around the opening to get a good visual on the kittens. Once they located the litter, they counted six tiny babies huddled in the back, completely out of reach.

Volunteers of Catsnip Etc went to rescue 6 kittens hiding under the sidewalk

They tried to coax the kittens out by playing a video of a cat mom calling her babies, but the six little furballs didn’t budge. That’s when Carl stepped up to the plate and volunteered to crawl under the sidewalk to retrieve the kittens.

He lay on his back, shimmied his way into the hole head first. He had barely enough room to inch forward as his tummy rubbed against the concrete. After carefully maneuvering his body into the tight space, he was able to reach the kittens and handed them over to the other volunteers.

Carl crawled into the hole and safely retrieved the kittens

When they retrieved the sixth kitten, Carl wiggled his way out and could finally breathe a sigh of relief. He was exhausted but so happy to know that all six kittens were safe and sound.

“Carl was a hero and crawled the smallest hole ever to get them,” the rescue said. “The kittens were pretty dirty and had lots of fleas.”

All six kittens safe and sound

By using a humane trap, they were able to find the feral cat mom and bring her along to the rescue.

“It was a long couple of hours, but we had six terrified babies going to a foster home and a feral mom that will find a safe barn home. No one was left behind. There was no better way to end a day.”

They also found the feral cat mom and brought her to safety

Despite being very scared at first, the kittens slowly warmed up to their foster carers once they moved into their comfortable new digs. They quickly learned that there was plenty of food at their disposal and that soft blankets were wonderful to nap on.

A few days later, they were brave enough to allow their people to wash them and give them some much-needed cuddles.

Getting some snuggles after a bath

“They are finally getting braver around people. They got their first bath to wash away all the dirt that was on them,” Catsnip Etc shared.

“While they weren’t too excited about the bath, they are getting better about the snuggles.”

The feral mom has been spayed and vaccinated. When she is ready to move into her new home, she will be acclimated to a nice barn with food and shelter, and will be cared for, for the rest of her life.

The kittens still have some growing to do and feline skills to hone. They are growing more confident and playful each day, and their personalities are emerging.