Crews from the city of West Hollywood rescued a kitten on June 3 that was trapped in a storm drain near La Cienega and Santa Monica boulevards.

(photo courtesy of the city of West Hollywood)

An unidentified resident called at approximately 5 a.m. to report that the feline was trapped. The fire department responded but firefighters were unable to get to the kitten because the storm drain pipe was too small.

Los Angeles County Animal Control authorities met city staff at the site to assess the situation. Northbound traffic on La Cienega Boulevard was blocked while crews opened one of the storm drain grates. Using a rod with a bucket taped to the end, authorities were able to coax the kitten out by slowly pulling the bucket behind him towards the pipe opening.

After being removed from the pipe, the kitten was taken to the Amanda Foundation for a full check-up. After the feline was given a clean bill of health, West Hollywood’s code compliance supervisor Daniel Mick, who helped lead the rescue effort, adopted the kitten, which he named Stormy.