Fruitland Park firefighters swung into action Tuesday morning when the report of a kitten in distress came in.
The crew from Engine 56 responded to the call for help near U.S. Hwy. 27/441 and County Road 25, where they could hear a kitten inside a drain. The crew from Fruitland Park Fire-Rescue was joined by members of the city’s police and public works department and Lake County Animal Control Officer Sharon Beardsley as the rescue operation quickly got under way.
Initial attempts to rescue the kitten by opening several drain covers was unsuccessful. And when he didn’t come out on his own, the entire rescue brigade returned later in the afternoon to take care of the situation once and for all.
After establishing a plan to rescue the kitten – later named Shadow – firefighters could hear him but not see him, firefighter/EMT Clarence Williams and Lt. Michael Howard made their move. A short time later, after descending into the drain, Howard was cuddling the scared kitten and assuring him things would be OK.
Shadow was turned over to Lake County Animal Services. He is being medically evaluated and is up for adoption at Lake County Animal Shelter, located at 28123 County Road 561 in Tavares. Call 352-343-9688 for more information.