Midwest construction crew rescues adorable orange kitten from engine and ‘HIRES’ her to work with them
A construction crew in Barberton, Ohio, rescued an orange kitten trapped inside a Komatsu excavator, with footage of the rescue becoming widely shared online. The kitten, named Sue after the machinery brand, has since been adopted by the company’s shop mechanic and given the honorary role of ‘shop cat’.
Workers searched unsuccessfully for Sue’s mother before taking her to a local foster family for medical care. Komatsu North America sent the kitten a miniature high-visibility vest and hard hat, while River Reach Construction has posted regular updates that have prompted supportive and humorous responses from followers.
- Ohio construction crew rescued kitten from excavator
- Sue was adopted as the company’s ‘shop cat’
- Komatsu sent miniature safety gear
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Komatsu is a maker of heavy machinery, including excavators used on building sites. These machines have large engines and moving parts, so a small animal trapped inside can be difficult to find and may be at risk.
Construction crews sometimes encounter stray or abandoned animals at work sites. Local foster carers can provide temporary care, while a shop cat is an informal role for a cat kept around a company’s workshop; it does not involve operating machinery.