Stormy Out of the Drain, Now Looking for a New Home
Maybe you’ve heard about "Stormy" the cat was rescued by a Riverside County Animal Services officer earlier this week from a storm drain. It made television news in Los Angeles.
If not, here are the details: A passerby walking on a street in Riverside heard Stormy’s meows for help arising from a storm drain. You know, one of those “Only Rain in the Drain” openings in the side of a curb.
Now for a series of “fortunatelys” and “unfortunatelys.”
Fortunately the passerby called on Riverside County Animal Services. Unfortunately, it didn’t look like a human could go the way that Stormy did (not enough room). Fortunately, a manhole cover was spotted nearby, and Riverside firefighters opened it for Rivco Animal Services Officer Kristina Hillegaart. Unfortunately, the animal services officer found it so dark down there she could hardly see a thing. Fortunately, she had a flashlight with her, and when she turned it on, Stormy, maintaining the high curiosity that got him into this mess in the first place, went directly for it, and the waiting arms of his rescuer. Unfortunately, Kristina was now holding precious cargo, making it difficult to get out of the narrow manhole. Fortunately, the firefighters hoisted her out.
Unfortunately, Stormy has not been claimed. Fortunately, you will be able to claim him for your very own starting tomorrow (Friday). Unfortunately, if someone doesn’t claim him, it could be the end of the line for Stormy. Fortunately, he’s so darned charming, that’s unlikely to happen.
Unfortunately, Animal Services is in desperate need for homes for all their cats, and they’re bursting at the seams with more than 300 felines at the Riverside Shelter alone. All told, there are 617 cats at the County’s four shelters—including about 80 at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus. It’s an Adopter’s Market. Spread the word.
And if you’re interested in more on Stormy and Officer Hillegaart, including video, Click Here.