09/20/2026
FINAL UPDATE....With the help from our amazing volunteer Ashleigh who dug around the pipe until she couldn't reach any longer, the home visitor Brian, neighbours Summer, Rose and Will who ran back back and forth for supplies, we were able to excavate and remove the kittens, 2 very cold live kittens and 2 who had crossed the bridge. We are at the emergency vet right now, with the little fighters. Send positive thoughts for them and many thanks to the amazing helpers today!
Also a great big thank you to everyone who offered suggestions, to Danielle EFox who lent us the Endoscope camera and Debbie Fraser for the auger. It really does take a village!
Update, again.....the Fire Department was on site and they are not able to dig in the confined space. They did move air thru from the other end, but wasn't strong enough pressure to push the kittens. Does, anyone have access to a high power blower? We have brainstormed this with no solution. Our hearts are broken for these babies.
Update...I was able to get a camera into the pipe and see.the 3 kittens are about 12inches from the bend and look to be wedged. They are still making little noises, but it's difficult to see any movement. The home is an Airbnb, and apparently the owner is not able to be reached for permission to dig. The Fire Department would be willing to come, but not without permission from the owner. The other end of the pipe goes about 15feet and ends in a straight vertical pipe, so accessing them from that end is equally impossible. I've got a message into a plumber and am not giving up.
I'm extremely sad and frustrated for these babies. We need an articulated claw that can gently remove them. Any inventors out there? Please keep your keyboard expertise and negativity to yourself.
** Thankyou everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. I will be going back to the property in the daylight with the camera offered to us to use and asking (begging) the homeowner to let us do whatever we can to get these kittens to safety!! **
We are onsite at a property trying to contain a momma and her kittens.There are possibly 3 kittens that have fallen into a drain pipe that is at least a 4 foot drop. We've made a makeshift climbing ladder with a 48" t-square wrapped in fleece fabric. Does anyone have a snake camera or any other ideas on how we could see exactly where the kittens are and how many are actually there? We can hear noises from pipe, so know there is life.