An unusual incident occurred when a kitten, now named Jersey, was found trapped beneath a car after it traveled all the way from New Jersey to Georgia. This little feline, roughly 10 weeks old, was discovered on August 10 by University of Georgia student Jadyn Sawyer, who noticed one of the kitten’s legs dangling out from underneath her vehicle as she parked on campus.
Kelly Bettinger, a representative from Cat Zip Alliance – Campus Cats, explained that Sawyer immediately contacted UGA Police, who reached out to the organization for assistance.
Bettinger, along with volunteer Lisa Donovan, arrived on the scene to find Jersey wedged tightly underneath the car. “Honestly, my heart dropped at first; I was afraid the kitten wouldn’t be alive,” Bettinger shared. “But then he cried and moved when I touched his leg.” That was definitely a relief.
After attempts to reach Jersey failed, they transported the car to a nearby Tires Plus, where mechanics managed to lift it up and remove the front driver’s side tire, finally freeing the kitten.
Despite the ordeal, Jersey was just a bit overheated and panting but showed no visible injuries. After getting into an air-conditioned environment, he quickly calmed down, and the next day’s veterinary check revealed he was mostly healthy—though he did have a minor upper respiratory infection and a common intestinal parasite found in kittens raised outdoors.
Initially shy around people, Jersey started to trust his rescuers pretty quickly. “He’s now quite talkative and playful,” Bettinger remarked, adding that he’s also very sweet and enjoys being held.
Rita Reimers, a certified cat behaviorist, noted how curious kittens can be, often seeking shelter in cars. “Cats will try to hide in the smallest spots. If their head fits, the rest will too,” she explained, advising drivers to be extra careful in areas with outdoor cats.
To help prevent future mishaps, Reimers suggested banging on the car hood—especially in the winter—before starting the engine to ensure no animals are hidden inside.
Currently, Jersey is living in a foster home. He is scheduled to be neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated against rabies in early September. Interestingly, Sawyer’s sister and her fiancé in New Jersey have plans to adopt him, meaning Jersey will eventually return to the state where his unexpected journey began.
“Now we just need to figure out how to safely get him back to New Jersey in early September, and definitely not as a stowaway,” Bettinger concluded with a chuckle.
