A driver heard a tiny cry coming from somewhere near his dashboard. It was coming from under the hood.
A Meow From Under the Hood
Maltese driver Dylan Portelli was on the road when he heard faint meowing coming from his car. He pulled over, opened the hood and found a very small kitten tucked inside the engine bay. According to Lovin Malta, the kitten had been riding there for about 15 minutes.
Portelli carefully freed the little animal. He shared the story in a Facebook post, kept the kitten briefly and then found it a new home. “They know where to go, these little blessings,” he wrote. “As they say, the right person!”
Why Cats Climb Into Engines
A car’s engine compartment can stay warm long after the drive ends, which attracts cats looking for a sheltered, cozy place, particularly as temperatures begin to fall. The danger is that a cat hiding there may go unnoticed when someone starts the engine. Moving parts such as belts and fans, and hot surfaces, can cause severe injuries or worse. This isn’t Portelli’s first such encounter: he had already found another kitten hiding in his car in the past.
A Driver’s Warning
Portelli used his post to warn other motorists. “Be careful and check your car, especially if you hear a cat meowing,” he wrote. Local news outlets in Malta have reported similar winter warnings, noting that a warm engine is an inviting refuge for cats when nights turn cold.
How to Check Before You Drive
Animal welfare groups often recommend a few quick habits, especially in cooler weather:
- Bang on the hood. A firm knock or a short honk can scare a cat out before you start the engine.
- Look around the vehicle. Check underneath the car, around the wheels and at the front of the engine.
- Listen. If you hear meowing or scratching, stop and don’t start the engine.
- Open the hood if safe. Wait until the engine is cool, and call a vet, rescue or mechanic if a cat is trapped.
- Seek help for injuries. If a cat appears hurt, take it to a veterinarian right away.
Protecting Cats and Your Car
If you live in an area with many stray or outdoor cats, a few products and services can help:
- Car and roadside. Compare car insurance, roadside assistance plans and underbody engine covers.
- Pet protection. Look at pet insurance for cats, emergency vet coverage and microchip registration.
- Adoption and rescue. Browse cat adoption near me, animal rescue donations and foster programs.
- Cat essentials. Consider kitten starter kits, cat carriers and kitten milk replacer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Malta? A driver heard meowing while driving, stopped and found a small kitten inside his car’s engine bay, where it had been for about 15 minutes.
Who found the kitten? Maltese driver Dylan Portelli, who shared the story on Facebook.
Was the kitten hurt? It survived the ride and was freed unharmed, and it soon went to a new home.
Why do cats hide in engines? The warm engine bay offers shelter and heat after a drive, especially in cold weather.
How can I prevent hurting a hidden cat? Knock on the hood, check around and under your car, and listen for meowing before starting the engine.
Sources: Lovin Malta (via FrontPages.eu), Guideme Malta, and The National, all covering a Maltese driver’s rescue of a kitten from a car engine bay and warnings about cats seeking warmth in engines.
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