Firefighters Help Stray Newborn Kittens Found 'Cuddled Up' at South Carolina Fire Station

Kelli Bender
·2 min read

The kittens are now in the care of an animal rescue while the firefighters look for the litter's mom

<p>Myrtle Beach Fire Department</p> A litter of kittens found at a South Carolina fire station (left) and a Myrtle Beach Fire Department firefighter with one of the kittens (right)

Myrtle Beach Fire Department

A litter of kittens found at a South Carolina fire station (left) and a Myrtle Beach Fire Department firefighter with one of the kittens (right)

A group of kittens skipped getting stuck in a tree and came straight to a group of firefighters.

According to a March 26 Facebook post from South Carolina's Myrtle Beach Fire Department, a shift of firefighters at the department's Station 3 conducted "an early morning animal rescue in their own station!"

"While conducting their routine equipment check, 4 newborn kittens were found cuddled up in the hose bed of Engine 3," the post continued.

The fire department also shared photos of the kitten quartet, including a shot of where the little litter was found. Other photos show smiling firefighters holding tiny kittens in gloved hands. The kittens' eyes are closed, a sign the animals are likely just a few days old. According to The Spruce Pets, kittens often open their eyes in their second week of life.

<p>Myrtle Beach Fire Department</p> A litter of kittens found on a firehose at a Myrtle Beach Fire Department fire station

Myrtle Beach Fire Department

A litter of kittens found on a firehose at a Myrtle Beach Fire Department fire station

Related: N.J. Firefighters Use Plasma Cutters to Set Dog Free After Getting Head Stuck in Tire: ‘We Are Grateful’

After the firefighters discovered the baby felines, they "safely transported" the kittens to a local animal shelter, where "they’ll receive the care they need," the fire department's Facebook post added.

The agency added on social media that the firefighters haven't seen any signs of a mother cat but are keeping "an eye out for her."

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<p>Myrtle Beach Fire Department</p> A Myrtle Beach Fire Department firefighter holding a newborn kitten

Myrtle Beach Fire Department

A Myrtle Beach Fire Department firefighter holding a newborn kitten

Firefighters aren't strangers to saving animals. A firefighter in Oregon adopted a puppy who survived a house fire. The 16-lb. pup, now named Smoky, ended up at the South Coast Humane Society after the blaze. At the shelter, the canine was treated for burns to his back, feet, and face.

His recovery plan included "lots of intensive care, multiple cold baths, applying medicated salve, wound management and skin removal, and lots of love!" South Coast Humane Society shared in a Facebook post.

After Smoky healed, he was adopted by a firefighter friend of a firefighter who helped save Smoky. Smoky's new owner plans to train the dog to accompany him on school fire safety visits as "an advocate for the 'stop, drop, and roll' presentations."

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