News Release

It's an iconic image: the firefighter rescuing a frightened kitten from a tree. It's a much cuter image than firefighters rescuing a cat from a car rim -- which is exactly what Moreno Valley firefighters had to do recently.

Some cats are natural burrowers, who like to stick their heads in places where they sometimes shouldn't. Such was the case with a curious feline recently heard crying for help. A resident found the cat with her head stuck in the center hole of a car tire rim and called Animal Services. The officer assessed the situation and determined that this was a job for MoVal firefighters.

A crew from Station 65 carefully cut the rim and finally managed to free the humiliated little cat without injury to her or -- amazingly enough -- to them from those sharp claws. All in a day's work for MoVal Fire!

"This is another great example of the kind of caring employees we have at the City of Moreno Valley," said Dr. Yxstian Gutierrez, Mayor. "No job -- or in this case, cat -- is too small!"

The lucky cat, who hopefully learned a valuable lesson, was taken to the Animal Shelter for evaluation, care and adoption.

See video of the rescue here.