New Jersey Man Opens Car Hood Only To Find Two Furry Souls Huddled Inside
One morning, Tom, an EMT from New Jersey, set out for another day on duty with no idea that a kitten rescue was about to land on his shoulders.
While working a shift at Galloway Township Ambulance Squad, he happened to spot two small kittens darting around on the security camera, playfully chasing each other outside the building.
Being a lifelong animal lover, Tom made a point to keep watch on the little pair, just in case they wandered into danger.
The following morning, before his partner went to start up their vehicle, Tom hurried over to check if the kittens had taken shelter nearby during the night.
Lifting the hood of the car, he was met with a surprising sight. Nestled right on top of the engine sat one of the tiny kittens, staring back at him.
The little kitten wasn’t about to make things easy. In a flash, he tried to dart deeper into the engine bay, but Tom managed to grab hold of him before he could slip away.
The tiny ball of fur squirmed and clawed, clinging tightly to the car, yet Tom carefully pulled him free and carried him inside. A few scratches across his hands served as a reminder of the effort it took.
Recognising the kitten from the security footage, Tom realised the sibling had to be close by. He decided to wait it out, and before long, the second kitten appeared.
This time, Tom came prepared with a glove, which made catching the little wanderer a much smoother task.
Tom gently placed the pair into a box, tucked a blanket around them, and phoned his girlfriend Emily to share what had happened. Together, they agreed to bring the kittens home and look after them for the time being.
Emily, who volunteered with Kizzy’s Place, a small foster-based rescue in New Jersey, quickly reached out to the group.
She offered to foster the kittens herself until they were old enough and ready to find permanent homes.
The two tabbies, named Buddy and Wally, made themselves comfortable in their new home in no time. Once they realized they were safe – they showed their true kitten colors!
They were true lap cats and loved snuggling next to their new parents. However, they were extremely playful, too. Danielle, one of the volunteers at Kizzy’s place, shared in an interview:
“The kittens blossomed in foster care, especially since they discovered toys. Buddy loves string and Wally loves stuffed animals and toys with bells.”
It’s safe to say that Buddy and Wally were in good hands and in a purrfect home!
Meet The Whole Family
The kittens, soon named Buddy and Wally, quickly discovered they weren’t the only cats in the household.
Two older feline brothers, Austin and Arthur, were already there to welcome them and pass along all the wisdom of the cat world. From playful lessons to handy tricks, the newcomers had plenty to learn.
But while they loved spending time with their new brothers, Buddy and Wally found themselves especially attached to another family member – their dog sister, Arya.
Arya had always been gentle with cats, so the arrival of her fluffy new siblings was something she genuinely welcomed.
She enjoyed spending time with them, guiding them through the house like a caring big sister.
Out of the two kittens, it was Wally who became especially fond of Arya, often seeking her out for companionship.
Being the outgoing one of the two of them, he was always under her muzzle, rubbing his face all over her and following her everywhere, as you can see in this short video made by Kizzy’s Place:
Although more timid than his brother, Buddy also had a soft spot for Arya, as she did for him!
So, What Happened To Buddy And Wally?
At first, Tom and Emily had only planned to foster Buddy and Wally. The idea was that once the kittens were healthy and someone came along to adopt them, the pair would move on to new homes.
Emily even admitted at one point that she simply hoped their future families would cherish them as much as she already did.
What she didn’t realise then was that she and Tom would become those future families themselves.
After a few weeks of bonding with the kittens, the couple realised they couldn’t imagine letting them go. Instead of saying goodbye, they made it official and adopted Buddy and Wally into their lives for good.
Emily commented on Instagram:
“We kept them because we couldn’t part from them. Buddy and Wally LOVE their mommy dog (Arya) and their two cat brothers Austin and Arthur! They are doing fantastic and we are totally foster fails.”
Well, I’m not sure about the “foster fails” part, but I can definitely vouch for their benevolence and humanity.
With Arthur, Austin, and especially Arya by their side, Buddy and Wally got an amazing forever home.
There’s a lot we can take away from Tom and Emily’s story. For one, it’s always worth checking around our cars, since a curious cat might have tucked itself into a warm hiding spot.
And just as important, fostering – or even adopting – a pet can open the door to unexpected happiness.
Life with animals brings so much joy and fulfilment, and stories like this are a lovely reminder of just how special that bond can be.
