Junkyard Worker About to Crush Car, Then He Realizes What's Inside

A junkyard worker who was about to crush a car in a lot in Asheville, North Carolina, made a startling discovery that led to a heroic rescue and a happy reunion.

Sarah Batten at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue last week received a panicked call from her partner, who works at a nearby junkyard. During his shift, he stumbled on a cat that had sought refuge in a car that was about to be crushed.

Thankfully, Batten's partner spotted the cat just in time, and spent the rest of his shift with the small feline tucked away in his jacket.

When his shift finished, he drove to Brother Wolf rescue to get help.

When they arrived, the cat, later identified as Lilly, was immediately attended to by staff, who treated her for dehydration and conducted a thorough medical examination.

But while Lilly was still being examined, fate intervened. Batten's partner had a phone call from his coworkers at the junkyard, who had been contacted by a man frantically searching for his missing cat, who is known for her impromptu car adventures.

The first research on lost pets in the U.S. was published in 2012. By surveying pet owners it was found that 14 percent of dogs and 15 percent of cats in the study went missing once in a five-year period.

According to Lost Pet Research, the chances to being reunited with a lost cat vary, with return-to-owner rates ranging from 1.5 percent to 4.5 percent for cats brought to shelters.

With Lilly's owner identified, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue offered to provide microchipping, vaccinations and spaying for the cat, all at no cost. The owner, relieved to hear of Lilly's safety, eagerly accepted the offer.

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue also re-homes animals, while offering low-cost mobile spay and neuter clinics in the area.

After her surgery, Lilly and her owner were all set for a heartwarming reunion.

"Lilly took a nap the whole way there, and she woke up to the sound of her dad talking to her. You could see the look of relief and happiness on her face when she realized she was home," Batten recounted. "Her dad scooped her up, and she nestled right into him."

The owner was incredibly grateful to be reunited with his beloved cat, and even said that he hoped she may have learned a less about the dangers of wandering off.

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