‘It’s a cold scary trip’: Tabby cat travels more than 80 km hiding in truck engine

Moncton’s John Leet thought he has seen it all come through the bay doors at the dealership where he has worked as a mechanic and foreman for 30 years.

“We’ve found hamsters, garter snakes, squirrels, chipmunks and mice” stuck in the engine of cars that come into the shop, said Leet.

But last Thursday was definitely a first even for him.

READ MORE: 42 feral cats rescued from emptying Newfoundland town

Leet said a customer who had taken a demo truck out as a loaner popped the hood to put in some windshield wash before he returned the truck and got a bit of a fright. The customer found an orange tabby cat tucked in among the heater hoses staring right back at him.

“He was wedged in between the battery and the fire wall,” said Leet, adding that the customer immediately drove the truck to the shop for help.

Leet said the little stowaway traveled more than 80 kilometers between the homes of two different customers wedged up in the engine of the demo truck.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“It’s a cold scary trip for a cat,” he said.

2:01 A hero’s welcome: New Brunswick cat rescued by dog reunites with saviour

He said the kitty must have been comfy because prying him out was a bit of a chore.

“As hard as he was shivering and shaking when I climbed up in there I would say he was pretty scared,” said Leet.

View image in full screen

Mechanic Matthew Vautour said he tried to give Leet a hand removing the cat from the engine.

“I was trying to push the cat out from the bottom when he was trying to pull it up so it was kinda weird,” said Vautour.

Leet said they had no idea who owned the little traveler. So, once they finally managed to get him free, they posted the cat’s picture to Facebook hoping to find its owner.

READ MORE: Tabby cat captures hearts with ‘thick southern accent’ meow

He said it didn’t take long for the cat’s owner, Melissa MacCallum, to claim her little hitchhiker named Weaver who had climbed into the engine of the truck when she had borrowed it from the dealership the night before.

MacCallum told Global News that Weaver is doing well, and except for a bit of a cold and a mild burn on his foot he’s back home safe and sound.

Leet says Weaver likely used up a few lives on his adventure.