Ohio Construction Crew Rescues Kitten From Excavator and Gives Her a Hard Hat

A construction crew in Leavittsburg, Ohio, got an unexpected addition to its workforce after discovering a kitten inside one of its excavators. Chase Guello, an operating supervisor with RiverReach Construction, heard a cry while inspecting a Komatsu excavator at the job site. The kitten was found in the machine’s engine area, and the crew removed the excavator’s skid plate to free her, according to reports from Neatorama and UPI. Workers searched nearby for the kitten’s mother and possible siblings but did not find any. RiverReach decided to keep the small orange cat and named her Komatsu after the excavator brand. Her nickname is Sue. Sue first spent about two weeks with a foster caregiver from a rescue organization. She was then placed with Jared, RiverReach’s shop mechanic, and his family. UPI reported that Sue is expected eventually to travel to and from work with Jared and become a shop cat under his supervision. Neatorama reported that she is doing well at the shop. The rescue attracted attention online after RiverReach shared video of the kitten. The story also reached Komatsu officials, who sent the construction company a package containing supplies for Sue and the crew—including a kitten-sized safety vest and hard hat. For now, Sue’s construction career is still in training. But she already has the equipment for the job and a place on the crew.