EL PASO – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Paso Del Norte (PDN) port of entry in El Paso
often encounter drivers who work hard to keep their car engines purring
like a kitten. But early Wednesday morning, the purring sound coming
from under the hood of a car that attracted their attention was not
mechanical but the small soft and furry type.
The
kitten rescue began at about 4:30 in the morning when a female driver
from Juarez arrived and told the CBP officer at the primary inspection
booth that she heard unusual noises coming from under the hood of the Chevrolet Impala
she was driving to work. The CBP officer raised the hood of the vehicle
and was surprised to find a small malnourished male kitten huddled
behind the battery and crying out for help. The CBP officer removed the
kitten from the engine compartment and the driver was released. It is
unknown how long the kitten may have been hidden in the engine
compartment.
A CBP officer known to have a kind place in
her heart for animals volunteered to take custody and care for the
frightened kitten. The officer is taking the kitten to a veterinarian
for all appropriate shots and neutering. The officer then plans to care
for the kitten until it completely healthy before finding it a
permanent home. At this time young feline is without a name although it
could be called lucky after its cross border ordeal.
