A 3-month-old kitten rescued after spending more than two weeks trapped in a Gardena storm drain has been adopted, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles announced on Monday.
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Stormy’s new owner saw the kitten’s rescue on television Friday and arrived at the spcaLA South Bay Pet Adoption Center in Hawthorne when it opened Saturday morning, officials at the organization said. The adoption was completed by noon.
“Stormy is lucky to have found an adopter with many years of cat companion experience,” spcaLA President Madeline Bernstein said in a statement. “We are thankful for her as well as all the people who brought Stormy to this happy conclusion.”
A Gardena resident first heard the kitten crying from a storm drain near her home last month and alerted authorities, according to spcaLA officials.
ALSO SEE: How rescuers brought young Stormy to safety
“Despite immediate response from animal control officers and the (Los Angeles County Fire Department), rescuers faced two challenges: the manhole cover was stuck shut and located within private community property,” spcaLA spokeswoman Ana Bustilloz said.
For the next two weeks, area residents lowered food and water to the trapped kitty, which they nicknamed Stormy.
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One of Stormy the kitten’s rescuers lowers into the Gardena storm drain during their efforts to bring the kitten to safety. (Courtesy of spcaLA)
Rescuers work in the Gardena storm drain where neighbors heard Stormy’s cries for weeks. (Courtesy of spcaLA)
Stormy’s rescuers were able to bring the kitten out of the Gardena storm drain once the little kitten was safely in the trap. (Courtesy of spcaLA)
After days of work required to remove a stuck manhole cover, rescuers set this trap, and after 7 hours Stormy went inside of it. Once the door shut, she could finally be taken out of the storm drain. (Courtesy of spcaLA)
Stormy cuddles with one of her caregivers. After weeks in a Gardena storm drain and a 7-hour wait for the kitten to enter a trap, she is now going up for adoption at the spcaLA South Bay Pet Adoption Center in Hawthorne. (Courtesy of spcaLA)
“A breakthrough came when a Los Angeles County Public Works representative contacted the community’s homeowners association manager and clarified ownership of the manhole,” Bustilloz said. “Three different contractors were brought in to assist with opening the stubborn cover. After two days of effort, they finally succeeded.”
Gardena Animal Control officers set a humane trap inside the drain and seven hours later, Stormy was in protective custody.
“After everything this kitten endured, Stormy is doing remarkably well,” Bernstein said last week.
While Stormy has found a home, many other animals remain available for adoption at spcaLA adoption centers, according to the organization. The shelter’s adoptable pets can be viewed at spcaLA.com/adopt.
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