Local News

2 separate kitten incidents prompt warning for drivers to check under the hood

The baby kittens, named Sparky and Pisces, were recently found seeking warmth under the hoods of cars located in Taunton and Brockton.

A 5-month-old male kitten, named Pisces, was found in a car engine in Brockton. Courtesy

September 27, 2025

2 minutes to read

Two kittens were recently discovered hiding under the hoods of cars in two Southeastern Massachusetts communities, prompting animal advocates to issue a warning to check under your hood before firing up the ignition.

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) announced Friday that last week, two good Samaritans in Taunton rescued a 6-week-old female kitten they found in a car engine compartment. The kitten, who has since been named Sparky, was uninjured and safely tucked in a cardboard box by the finders before the ARL arrived at the scene.

“We were getting into our car and heard a meow,” said Myah, one of Sparky’s finders. “We looked under the cars but didn’t see anything. Then I told my sister we have to look under the hood and, sure enough, when I opened it, we saw her hiding.”

ARL workers transported Sparky to the organization’s Dedham Animal Care & Adoption Center for a medical evaluation. She weighed only 1.4 pounds and was deemed to be in good health. ARL officials said the cat will remain in foster care until she is at least eight weeks old, reaches a healthy weight, and has been spayed.

“Sparky’s brush with danger will soon turn into a new beginning as she will be adopted by the finder who discovered her inside the car engine compartment,” the organization said in a news release.

Two good Samaritans in Taunton rescued Sparky, a 6-week-old female kitten they found in a car engine compartment. *Courtesy*

According to the ARL, Sparky is not the only kitten that’s been found under a car hood recently. A 5-month-old male kitten, named Pisces, was found in a car engine in Brockton.

Pisces was also transported to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care & Adoption Center for a medical evaluation. While there, vets discovered that the cat had suffered a burn on his right hind leg, singed whiskers, and a healed wound on his left shoulder. Pisces is undergoing treatment and will be neutered before he is ready for adoption in one to two weeks, according to the ARL.

“The ARL often sees cases of kittens found in car engines, especially on properties or in neighborhoods where community cats are present,” the organization said in a news release. “Kittens take cover in car engines as a way to keep warm and protect themselves from the harsh outdoor elements. In these cases, the biggest concern is kittens getting injured or burned. During rainy or cold weather, especially, always knock on the hood of your vehicle and do a quick visual check before starting the engine.”

ARL officials say Massachusetts is home to more than 700,000 feral or outdoor cats — including an estimated 70,000 in the Boston area. To help protect the growing population, the group established a dedicated Community Cats program that provided care to 1,181 cats last year, including spay and neuter surgeries. The program also helped match nearly 800 cats with adoptive homes.

Those interested in donating to help Sparky, Pisces, and other community kittens can do so at arl.boston/sparky-pisces.