One sunny afternoon in New Jersey, a kitten’s life was hanging by a thread. She’d somehow ended up in a trash compactor, completely unaware of the danger she was in.
Covered in oil and shivering with fear, she was just moments away from a terrible fate as the sharp blades of a trash compactor were ready to turn on.
Fortunately, fate had other plans. Mark Motta, a dedicated employee of the Burlington County Regional Recycling Program, was going about his usual route when he noticed something in the hopper, where recyclable materials are loaded and compacted.
Amidst the crumpled paper and empty cans, Mark saw a tiny movement – a flash of fur. His heart skipped a beat as he realized what it was.
Without a second thought, this kind man instantly shut everything down and leaped into the back of the truck, as he explained in an interview:
“I’ve had cats my whole life, and I know that when they’re babies, if you grab them by the skin on their necks, it makes them think they’re being carried by their mother. So that’s what I did.”
Mark reached for the kitten, cradling her fragile body in his hands. She was terrified and trembling, but safe, as Mark shared:
“She was really scared, but she seemed happy to be rescued.”
Mark’s love for cats had always been strong, but this moment deepened it even more. Holding the kitten close, he whispered comforting words as he brought her back to the headquarters. He named her Squishy, sharing:
“I thought it was perfect because if I hadn’t seen her that morning, there would have been no saving her.”
Mark then washed away the grime that had clung to Squishy’s tiny frame. She looked up at him with wide, trusting eyes as if she knew that this man had just saved her life.
After a thorough check-up at the vet, it was decided that Squishy would stay with one of Mark’s colleagues, the safety officer at the recycling plant who offered to foster her.
She settled in quickly, finding comfort in the warm blankets and soft hands that now cared for her.
Days later, Squishy returned to the recycling plant for a special visit, her fur now clean and gleaming with a healthy shine. The once-dirty kitten had been lovingly cleaned and cared for, and her transformation was remarkable.
When she arrived at the plant, her eyes brightened at the sight of her rescuer. She immediately snuggled into Mark’s arms. Photos captured the tender moment as Mark gently petted her, his face softened with genuine affection.
Although many people praised him for heroically saving this kitty’s life, for Mark, it wasn’t at all about being a hero, as he explained:
“Just doing my part for the cats. Just want her to get a good home. She deserves it.”
Rise Again Animal Rescue has taken Squishy in and their staff has been working tirelessly to ensure she receives the medical care she needs.
After she gets spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped, she’ll be ready to start the next chapter of her life with a forever family.
How Squishy ended up in that recycling bin remains a mystery. Whether it was a cruel act or a tragic accident, no one knows. But what matters most is that she is safe now, thanks to a kind-hearted man who refused to let her slip away.
I can only hope that Squishy soon finds the loving home she so richly deserves and that she never has to face such danger again.
