It's a good thing cats have nine lives, because Calvin might have used one of his Tuesday.
The young kitty found himself in quite a predicament this week, his head stuck in a storm drain grate in Swansea. Driveway Channel Drain
Around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, a resident spotted Calvin's head sticking above the pavement near his driveway and called the town for help. Soon, the police, highway department and animal control officer were on Harbor Road trying to figure out how to free Calvin.
"He tried getting out of that tiny little hole, and it didn't work," said Lisa White, Swansea's animal control officer.
Apparently too "exhausted" for a loud fuss, Calvin was making "faint meows," as the humans brainstormed by the storm drain, she said.
Calvin's rescuers decided they'd have to carefully lift the heavy cast iron grate from the pavement, bringing both it and Calvin to the Mass-RI Veterinary ER on Milford Road in Swansea.
With the cat and grate in the backseat, White drove carefully, about 15 mph., to the hospital, where staff met them in the parking lot, and Calvin was immediately sedated.
Watching Calvin brought inside, White wasn't sure what to expect. "We were told, 'This doesn't always go well. Keep your fingers crossed,' " she said.
With the help of some dish soap and other lubricant, Calvin was soon freed from his prison.
He was cold and tired, and his nails were scraped, apparently from trying to free himself, but he was otherwise okay, White said. She's not sure of Calvin's age but believes he's 1 to 2 years old.
Still, Calvin didn't seem "very appreciative" when he was brought back to the Swansea Animal Shelter. He perked up when his owner picked him up Wednesday.
"He was so happy when his mom came," White said. "He was kind of sulky here."
White doesn't know how Calvin got into the storm drain or how long he was stuck. The drain runs to a nearby beach. She believes he walked inside that end and was either chased or wandered into the wrong way out.
From talking to Calvin's owner, White learned he's "mischievous."
Steel Grating Cover "I feel like it won't be the last time we see him," she said. "He's one of those cats who will probably use up all of his nine lives."