Salt Lake City Man Rescues Crying Kitten From Inside Excavator Engine
Anyone familiar with cats knows how often they squeeze themselves into the tightest and most unexpected places. Engines, wheel wells, and undercarriages are common hiding spots, especially for young kittens.
Sadly, many don’t make it out alive. That was almost the fate of a helpless ginger kitten in Salt Lake City, until a man named Matt heard his cries and rushed to save him.
It happened at the end of a long workday on a Utah construction site. As the noise of heavy machinery wound down, Matt noticed a faint squeaking sound. At first, no one else could hear it, but he was sure it was a meow.
“He had everything stopped to listen, and no one could hear it but him. He searched and found the kitten near the engine. His little body had been inside this excavator all day long,” recalled his sister Amy in an Instagram post, who later helped care for the kitten.
The tiny survivor was only a newborn, and no one knew how he had ended up wedged inside such a dangerous spot. His cries were filled with desperation, and Matt wasted no time in trying to get him out.
At first, he attempted to reach directly into the machine, but the kitten was trapped too deeply. Refusing to give up, Matt grabbed his tools and began removing protective plates from the bottom of the excavator.
“He had to remove a large bolt and plate near the engine. He wrapped the kitten in a jacket and drove to meet me,” Amy explained.
Once freed, the kitten was rushed to Amy, who took over his immediate care. They named the little ginger boy Max, though his story was bittersweet. Tragically, he wasn’t the only kitten found that day — but he was the only one from his litter who survived.
When Max arrived at Amy’s home, he was heartbreakingly small. Weighing just 2.5 ounces, he was barely half the size of a healthy newborn, and his umbilical cord was still attached.
“He was covered in dirt with dirt filling his mouth and ears. I gently wiped him with a wet cotton ball and found that he had burns on the side of his face and front legs,” Amy said.
Those first 24 hours were critical. With kitten formula, warmth, and constant attention, Max clung to life. Against the odds, he survived the night and began to gain strength. Slowly, the frail newborn transformed into a cuddly, affectionate kitten.
Amy remembered the worry she carried through those first few weeks.
“I didn’t know if he would survive. He’s always had a strong meow and a determination to get what he wants.”
That determination paid off. Max not only survived — he thrived.
As he grew, his personality came through. He learned to groom himself, explored his surroundings with curiosity, and discovered the joy of climbing onto his humans’ bed to snuggle under the covers. His affectionate nature made him a lap-cat almost instantly.
“He purred from the beginning and loves to play with whoever will play with him, including our dog. He is a miracle,” Amy said with a smile.
From a squeak inside an excavator in Salt Lake City to a beloved family companion, Max’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
Thanks to Matt’s quick action and Amy’s tireless care, a life that nearly ended before it began is now filled with love, comfort, and endless purrs.
Make sure to follow Mighty Max over on Instagram!
