Teen Braves Traffic to Save Moving ‘Trash’ Bundle Thrown from Van

By: Clarisse Jelle
Clarisse is an effective freelance SEO writer for a dog magazine, combining her deep passion for animals with her professional skills. Her hands-on experience with rescued cats and stray dogs enriches her writing, enabling her to create engaging and informative content that resonates with pet parents and animal lovers.Read more
| July 17, 2024

Abandoning an animal is a despicable act, but discarding one from a moving vehicle is utterly outrageous. Astonishingly, there are individuals who commit such heinous deeds and often evade punishment while the defenseless animal suffers. A harrowing event of this nature unfolded on a Michigan highway.

Fourteen-year-old Gavin Orlowski and his mother were traveling on Interstate 196 in Michigan, en route to a birthday celebration on a Sunday. They were unprepared for the shocking sight that made them halt abruptly in the middle of the road.

“I hear my mom…she’s driving, and I’m in the passenger seat and she’s like [gasp],” Orlowski recounted.

They witnessed a cat being hurled out of a van ahead of them.

The cat managed to cling on, prompting the teenager to rush out and rescue it.

Miraculously, the cat evaded the traffic and survived. Gavin, however, felt compelled to save the cat, acting without hesitation. He leaped from their car, disregarding the traffic he stopped on I-196.

He reached the cat, which was now precariously “hanging off the over-bridge.” This sight only intensified Gavin’s resolve to save the feline. He extended his hand, grasped the cat just in time, and brought it back to their vehicle. It’s unfathomable that anyone could be so heartless, but thankfully, Gavin’s bravery prevailed.

By then, the driver of the van had disappeared.

Gavin and his mother attempted to locate the person responsible for this cruel act, but the culprit had already sped away.

“It was gone, the truck just bolted out of there,” Orlowski remarked. “Why wouldn’t you just let a cat go, at least just let him go, not just throw him off a bridge.”

Although finding the perpetrator seemed futile, they knew there were still ways to help the injured cat.

They immediately took the cat to BluePearl Animal Hospital, as suggested by a friend. After a thorough examination, the veterinarian delivered a reassuring diagnosis: the cat was largely unscathed, except for some torn nails from gripping the asphalt.

This news brought relief, but they soon received even more heartwarming information. The receptionist informed them,

“Mrs. Brown, we just received a phone call from one of your Facebook friends to cover, basically all of the bills,” Orlowski shared.

Buoyed by the good news, the family decided to adopt the cat, naming him Lucky.

A Vulnerable Person Killed an Innocent Cat. What Does Justice Look Like?
A Vulnerable Person Killed an Innocent Cat. What Does Justice Look Like?

This act highlights critical gaps in our support systems for people in crisis and animal welfare. Urge authorities to provide those in crisis with the help they need to prevent animal abuse!

How fortunate is this cat?

Lucky managed to navigate through traffic without serious injuries, was saved from the brink of falling by a heroic boy, and eventually found a loving home with his rescuer.

Naming him Lucky was indeed fitting for this resilient feline. His new family is equally fortunate to have him.

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