The Arizona Humane Society’s Emergency Animal Medical Technicians are an integral part of the shelter’s rescue program. Their job is to respond to reports from community members of injured stray animals or potential abuse cases. In 2021 alone, the EAMT team participated in the rescue of over 6,000 animals who had suffered injury, abuse, or neglect.
When these rescued animals require medical care, they are transferred to the Arizona Humane Society’s trauma response hospital, where they remain until they are well enough to be put up for adoption. Such was the case for a tiny rescue kitten named Augustus Gloop.
Arizona’s EAMTs responded to reports of a kitten stuck inside a twenty-foot storm drain. The kitten, who was just ten weeks old at the time of rescue, was doing his best to tread the rising stormwater. Scared, cold, and soaked to the bones, Augustus screamed his little lungs out for help.
When the EAMTs arrived on the scene, they were disheartened to learn that the tools they had available were not forceful enough to remove the drain cover. They called the local fire department for assistance, all the while keeping their eyes on the tiny kitten to ensure he was able to keep his head above water.
“Having to act quickly, they followed his cries to locate him but found he was in a part of the drain that they were unable to open with the tools they had,” said the Arizona Humane Society
Luckily for Augustus, the local fire department arrived quickly with a hydraulic tool in tow that would be powerful enough to remove the bolts on the drain cover. Once the bolts were loosened and the cover removed, the EAMTs lowered themselves into the drain and collected the small, wet kitten.
Safely in the arms of EAMT Julie Bolchalk, Augustus was wrapped in a warm blanket and immediately transported to the nearest trauma hospital. Doctors determined that Augustus was suffering from hypothermia, a condition caused by dangerously low body temperatures. They also discovered that his nails were torn and bloody, likely caused by his desperate attempts to climb out of the storm drain.
Augustus stayed in the hospital for several days until he was well enough to be transported to a foster home. His new foster mom reports that he is doing great. He is a hearty eater and has bonded well with the foster’s own pets.
Once he gets a bit bigger and stronger, Augustus will be available for adoption, and the search will begin for his forever home. With such a miraculous tale of survival behind him, there is no doubt in my mind that Augustus is destined for a remarkable future.
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