Waste Management Driver Rescues Kitten From Compactor and Adopts It

It’s a story worthy of a Disney movie.

In March, East County Waste Management driver Michael Cabrera noticed a cardboard box struck in the grate of his truck’s compactor blade. Inside the box was a newborn kitten with its umbilical cord still attached. Cabrera rushed the kitten to the El Cajon Animal Shelter.

“I don’t know how long he was in my truck and how many times that compactor blade went right by him,” Cabrera said.

William, as he was named, (for the W and M in waste management) was placed in a foster home until he reached a healthy weight.

The shelter gave Cabrera the first opportunity to adopt William. “He is the king of the castle at our house and is getting lots of toys and attention from me and my wife,” Cabrera said.

And as the movie would end…they lived happily ever after.

The El Cajon Animal Shelter cares for stray pets found within the cities of El Cajon and La Mesa. Animals not claimed by their owners are placed up for adoption.

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