Compassionate Salvage-Yard Worker Saves Weeks-Old Babies From Being Crushed Alive

For Immediate Release:
May 31, 2005

Contact:
Bob Chorush 757-622-7382

West Fargo, N.D. — For coming to the rescue of five tiny kittens trapped in a discarded clothes dryer that was about to be crushed in a metal compacter, West Fargo area resident John Sullivan will receive PETA’s Compassionate Citizen Award.

On May 4, Sullivan, who works at Hazer’s Auto and Truck Salvage in West Fargo, noticed some faint mewing sounds emanating from a pile of discarded appliances that had come in during the city’s cleanup week. He traced the cries to a beat-up clothes dryer, opened it, and discovered five kittens trapped inside. Sullivan carefully removed the babies—estimated to be just a few weeks old—who all survived the ordeal and have since been placed in homes. Had he not come to their rescue, the kittens would have been crushed along with the dryer in a metal-compacting machine.

PETA points out that not all homeless, abandoned, or unwanted cats and dogs are so fortunate. The number of cats and dogs far exceeds the number of loving homes available. The lucky unwanted animals are taken to caring shelters, but countless others face abandonment, cruel treatment, starvation, disease, freezing, highway death, procurement for research laboratories or dogfighting, and more breeding. PETA strongly recommends having all cats and dogs spayed or neutered—the only effective way to curb the overpopulation crisis.

"We thank the animals’ lucky stars for compassionate people like John Sullivan, whose kind example shines a spotlight on the plight of these and other homeless animals," says PETA Director Daphna Nachminovitch. "No living being is too small or too unimportant to deserve a helping hand."

Mr. Sullivan will receive a framed certificate accompanied by a letter of appreciation from PETA.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.