Cold Snap Rescue: Kitten 'Radiator' Found Hiding in Car Engine as Temperatures Drop
- - Cold Snap Rescue: Kitten 'Radiator' Found Hiding in Car Engine as Temperatures Drop
Chris DeWeese December 23, 2025 at 2:00 AM
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VCU Police Department
As frigid temperatures settled over central Virginia Wednesday night, a tiny kitten found itself in a dangerous situation.
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Police Safety Ambassador Madison McGinley-Bujtas responded to a call on Harrison Street where a kitten had become trapped under the hood of a citizen's vehicle. The experienced safety ambassador, described by colleagues as a "cat momma," successfully freed the frightened animal from its precarious hiding spot.
The rescued kitten, dubbed "Radiator" by police, was taken to the Richmond SPCA to find a permanent home after McGinley-Bujtas resisted the temptation to add it to her household of four other cats.
Winter Weather Pet Safety
The incident serves as an important reminder as winter weather settles in across the country. When temperatures plummet, outdoor and stray animals instinctively seek warmth wherever they can find it, often underneath vehicle hoods near still-warm engines.
VCU Police used the rescue to encourage drivers to take a few extra moments during cold snaps to check their vehicles before starting up. A simple tap on the hood or honk of the horn can alert any hidden animals and potentially save their lives.
Animal welfare experts recommend these additional cold-weather precautions:
Bang on your car hood before starting the engine
Check wheel wells where small animals might hide
Listen for unusual sounds when starting your vehicle
Keep garage doors closed to prevent animals from seeking shelter
As winter weather continues, these simple steps could prevent tragedy for both animals and drivers.
Source: “AOL Breaking”
