The California Highway Patrol responded to a very unusual rescue call on the iconic Golden Gate Bridge Sunday afternoon. With six lanes of heavy traffic, they are often called in to assist with accidents, but this was the first “cat call” for the officers! A concerned citizen reported seeing a “flash of orange” while passing over the bridge. Sure enough, the officers located a tiny, terrified kitty and rescued him from inside a median barrier.
On their first crossing, Officer Smith and his partner did not spot the cat, but refused to give up on an animal in need. They turned around and passed over the area again, finally spotting the ginger and white kitty that has become affectionately known as “Bridges.”
“As they approached the south tower on the bridge they noticed a little furry head popping out from inside of the movable median barrier that separates the northbound and southbound lanes,” a CHP Facebook post reads, in part.
The officers blocked one lane of traffic while they safely retrieved the cat from his hiding spot. VCA Madera Pet Hospital in Corte Madera agreed to take a look at Bridges, so his new pal, Officer Smith, took him right over. The kind staff doted on the kitten, giving him a thorough exam and a much-needed bath – for free!
The pair left with a goodie bag of medicine and supplies, but no news of an owner. Little Bridges did not have a collar or a microchip. Luckily, Officer Smith has agreed to step up and nurse him back to health himself! He will foster Bridges until he is well enough to find a permanent home.
Although Bridges’ story has a happy ending, the California Highway Patrol is asking anyone with information on how he got into such a precarious predicament on the bridge to contact them.
“If you happened to lose your little cat in the middle of the Golden Gate Bridge today, please give us a call or send us a message,” they requested via Facebook. “We are very perplexed as to how he managed to get so far out in the middle of the Golden Gate Bridge without being hit by another vehicle.”
Update:
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports that interest in adopting Bridges had flooded in from all over the United States! On a Facebook post, the CHP says that since they’re not experienced at placing pets into homes, so they thought it was best that the kitten went to the nearby Marin Humane. There, staff will be able to give him expert care until he’s ready to find his forever home.
If you’re interested in adopting this intrepid kitty, fill out an application on the humane society’s website.
CHP added on a Facebook post:
“We know that Bridges can only go to one home, but if you are looking for a new friend, whether it be furry, feathery, scaly, or otherwise skinned, please check with as many shelters as you can. So many of these pets are just looking for a home and a family to care for them and hopefully a bright future.”
H/T to SF Gate
Featured Image via Facebook/California Highway Patrol – Marin