Kitten That Was Struggling To Stay Afloat In The Gulf Of Mexico Gets Spotted By A Fishing Boat That Saves Its Life
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There are lots of weird creatures you can expect to see in the open water while fishing, but an Alabama fishing crew were not prepared to come across this unexpected catch. Their fishing trip to the Gulf of Mexico near Perdido Pass soon turned into a rescue mission when they spotted a poor little kitten struggling in the water. By being in the right place at the right time, these heroes we needed to hear about today saved the kitten’s life. No one knows how he got into the water, bearing in mind that most cats actually hate baths. Luckily, instead of drowning or becoming an easy snack for aquatic animals, this kitty found a cozy place he can call home. He might have used up one of his lives, but he has 8 great ones to go!
More info: Facebook
A fishing crew spotted a kitty fighting for his life in open waters
Image credits: Still Flyin Charters
On one charter boat’s trips to the Gulf of Mexico, Still Flyin Charters crew saw an animal they never expected to see in the water. At first, they thought it was a sea turtle, but quickly came to a shocking realization that this “turtle” had ginger fur. They scooped the frightened kitten out of the water and brought him into the boat.
“We were fishing just outside Perdido Pass when I spotted something struggling to stay up and getting sucked out into the gulf. We immediately pulled in our lines and maneuvered over to it. Positioned ourselves down current of the cat and used a dip net for bait to pick him up,” Steve Crews, owner and operator of Still Flyin Charters, recalled the incident and told Bored Panda about it.
Image credits: Still Flyin Charters
The kitten looked terrified and shocked. The whole crew was dedicated to keeping him safe until they reached the shore.
“He was shaken at first. It took him a little bit to get his wits about him. I held him in my lap and drove the boat until he started to come to. Then one of the kids fishing held him for a while,” said Crews.
“I think we just did what anyone else would’ve done. We just happened be at the right place at the right time. He wouldn’t have made it otherwise”
Image credits: Still Flyin Charters
“Our catch of the day”: after rescuing the kitty, the crew shared this heartwarming story on Facebook
Image credits: Still Flyin Charters
Still Flyin Charters posted a story on Facebook on July 30th. People speculated that the kitten might have been gotten rid of by a heartless owner or used as shark bait, while the crew thinks he got caught in the tide. And while none of the theories can be proven, we can only be glad that this story has a happy ending.
The kitten went home with the person who found him and later found a permanent family he’s still getting used to
Image credits: Still Flyin Charters
Upon reaching the shore, the kitty went home with Steve Crews, but they quickly realized that, true to his stray nature, he was actually terrified inside and preferred hanging out outside. They later found a permanent home for the kitty and he’s still slowly getting used to it.
“Initially, he came home with me, but he didn’t want to be inside. My friend ended up taking him home since he lives in an area where the cat is safer outside. He’s doing great. He’s still a feral cat. We will see if that changes over time, but he’s still really skittish of people,” he said.
Due to the unusual circumstances he was found in, there is so much inspiration for the kitty’s new awesome name. People came up with a variety of aquatic names from Catfish to Ocean, Sailor, or Nemo, but Crews and his wife were considering two options: Shark Bait and Lucky. They settled on the more quirky one, Shark Bait, but don’t know if the new owner has approved it.
People were touched by the story and thanked the kind crew for giving this kitty a second chance
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W. T. Actual. F? People throw kittens in the water as shark bait?! Like there isn’t enough other bait they could use, like something already dead? No need to torture an innocent little baby, FFS people! Do not ever let me find out who you are, or you will know—-firsthand—-what it’s like to have someone throw YOU into the water to be shark bait. Of the two names this kitten’s new parents are considering, Lucky is the better one. Shark Bait doesn’t have positive connotations.
While I appreciate your anger in this situation, aren't you a tad bit too assuming as to why this little baby ended up in the water? It very well could have been an accident.
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I remember a similar story several years ago where some guys were out fishing and wound up rescuing not one but two ginger kittens! Like this little guy, they were just flailing about in the water. I'm so happy this little guy is safe now. Please don't name him Shark Bait though. 🤣
Since we'll never know, I'm going to go with the rescuers' suggestion that he just got swept out to sea and wasn't the victim of human cruelty. Maybe he was from a feral cat family living on a dock? Or a ship's cat had kittens and he fell overboard? Anyway, good save, hoomins!
Some cats do like water, like to swim. This one may have gone in after a fish and been swept away. Incredible that it was rescued.
Pretty sure the 'shark bait' name is a reference to Finding Nemo. It's what the tank fish call Nemo when they make him part of their group. "Newcomer of orange and white!" "Shark Bait! OH AH AH!" I don't think the people LITERALLY meant that the kitty was shark bait or that anyone USED him for such a thing.
My sis-in-law trapped three cats on her property. The one that lived she gave to us and 11 years later he is still here and doing fine. He still has his 'feral' moments when he suddenly doesn't recognize me or my wife and he runs under the house. But he recovers when he gets hungry. He will sleep with me but not on me or he won't cuddle but I still love him, of course.
May the crew who rescued that adorable little kitty have a bit of good karma and keep their family and community in good order. And I am hoping the wee one discovers just how awesome a house with its own human can be!
There are kind people in the world. Kudos to those people who rescued this adorable kitten.
I'd have to call him Shark Bait. I have a slightly... no.... I have a distinctly dark sense of humour, with a good dose of irony.... so yeah... Shark Bait it would be. Or something completely inane like "turtle" or maybe "sel de mer" (salt of the ocean). Yeah... Sel de mer. :P
W. T. Actual. F? People throw kittens in the water as shark bait?! Like there isn’t enough other bait they could use, like something already dead? No need to torture an innocent little baby, FFS people! Do not ever let me find out who you are, or you will know—-firsthand—-what it’s like to have someone throw YOU into the water to be shark bait. Of the two names this kitten’s new parents are considering, Lucky is the better one. Shark Bait doesn’t have positive connotations.
While I appreciate your anger in this situation, aren't you a tad bit too assuming as to why this little baby ended up in the water? It very well could have been an accident.
Load More Replies... I remember a similar story several years ago where some guys were out fishing and wound up rescuing not one but two ginger kittens! Like this little guy, they were just flailing about in the water. I'm so happy this little guy is safe now. Please don't name him Shark Bait though. 🤣
Since we'll never know, I'm going to go with the rescuers' suggestion that he just got swept out to sea and wasn't the victim of human cruelty. Maybe he was from a feral cat family living on a dock? Or a ship's cat had kittens and he fell overboard? Anyway, good save, hoomins!
Some cats do like water, like to swim. This one may have gone in after a fish and been swept away. Incredible that it was rescued.
Pretty sure the 'shark bait' name is a reference to Finding Nemo. It's what the tank fish call Nemo when they make him part of their group. "Newcomer of orange and white!" "Shark Bait! OH AH AH!" I don't think the people LITERALLY meant that the kitty was shark bait or that anyone USED him for such a thing.
My sis-in-law trapped three cats on her property. The one that lived she gave to us and 11 years later he is still here and doing fine. He still has his 'feral' moments when he suddenly doesn't recognize me or my wife and he runs under the house. But he recovers when he gets hungry. He will sleep with me but not on me or he won't cuddle but I still love him, of course.
May the crew who rescued that adorable little kitty have a bit of good karma and keep their family and community in good order. And I am hoping the wee one discovers just how awesome a house with its own human can be!
There are kind people in the world. Kudos to those people who rescued this adorable kitten.
I'd have to call him Shark Bait. I have a slightly... no.... I have a distinctly dark sense of humour, with a good dose of irony.... so yeah... Shark Bait it would be. Or something completely inane like "turtle" or maybe "sel de mer" (salt of the ocean). Yeah... Sel de mer. :P
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