Kitten Survives 800-Mile Journey Under Car, Finds Home

When University of Georgia student Jadyn Sawyer spotted a small leg dangling from beneath her car after driving from New Jersey, she had no idea a kitten had hitched a 800-mile ride to campus.

The roughly 10-week-old kitten, now named Jersey, was discovered on August 10 after Sawyer arrived at UGA and immediately called campus police. Officers contacted Cat Zip Alliance, a local nonprofit that helps campus cats.

Kelly Bettinger, the organization's founder, rushed to the scene with volunteer Lisa Donovan. When she first saw Jersey wedged into the tight space, her heart sank.

"I'll admit my heart dropped at first as I thought the kitten wasn't alive, but thankfully he cried and moved when I touched his leg," Bettinger said. The small survivor was stuck so deep that officers couldn't reach him on their own.

The car was taken to a nearby Tires Plus, where mechanics lifted it and removed the front driver's side tire to free Jersey. Despite being hot and panting from the journey, the kitten showed no visible injuries and quickly calmed down in the air conditioning.

A veterinary exam the next day confirmed Jersey was remarkably healthy. He had only a minor respiratory infection and an intestinal parasite common in outdoor kittens.

Cat behaviorist Rita Reimers explained that kittens often crawl into vehicles seeking shelter or warmth. "Cats can hide in the smallest little places," she said. "If their head fits, their body will fit."

Sunny's Take

Jersey's personality blossomed once he felt safe. The frightened kitten who survived an impossible journey quickly became talkative, playful, and affectionate with his rescuers.

The best part? Sawyer's sister and her fiancé in New Jersey are adopting Jersey. The brave little traveler will return to where his adventure began, but this time in comfort and safety.

Campus Cats is now working on logistics to get Jersey back to New Jersey by early September, ensuring he travels "in a much safer and more comfortable way than as a stowaway."