'We're here for the animals': Volunteers rescue kitten stuck in pipe for 5 days

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A small kitten stuck in a sewer pipe for an estimated five days was rescued on Friday, Aug. 30.

"I believe a neighbor heard meows coming from the pipes and that's how we were alerted, through social media, and it kind of blew up," Megan Jordan, with Chained Dogs MKE, said.

Once the news of the cat in the pipe made the rounds online, members of Chained Dogs MKE, a nonprofit that serves underprivileged animals, started their rescue operation Thursday afternoon.

"We tried a bunch of different food; we had a plumber here. We tried a bunch of different things," Chained Dogs MKE member Janelle Westbrook said.

With no luck Thursday, they returned bright and early Friday, even more determined.

With the homeowner's permission, they dug a hole to reach the cat and lure it out, but they soon learned they needed to cut a pipe for it to crawl out. The Milwaukee Fire Department stepped up to cut the pipe, giving the kitty enough space to get out.

"Once I finally grabbed him and I knew I had him, I don't even have words, it was just great," Westbrook said.

While a little stinky and covered in grime, the kitten was finally safe.

"Surreal. I am so proud of my team members, they're just awesome humans and we need more people to help the animals," Jordan said. "I don't know what I expected, he's much smaller than I thought but overall good health, so I'm pleased."

Now the cat, which they plan to name Piper, will be fostered by one of their volunteers until she is old enough to be adopted.

"This is kind of what we do. We're here for the animals. Any animal that's in need, that's what Chained Dogs does," Jordan said.

Chained Dogs MKE is asking for donations to cover the cat's medical bills and to pay for the landscaping repairs for the homeowner. You can donate through Venmo or PayPal. For more information about Chained Dogs, visit their website.