Plumber's Hilarious Cat Rescue Mishap Goes Viral
It’s every cat parent’s worst nightmare—your cat escaping while work is being done at the house. Luckily for Winchester plumber Scott McKendry and his client, a recent alleged escape attempt had a happy ending. However, a Ring doorbell video of the plumber’s attempt to retrieve the cat has gone viral and inspired more than a few laughs!
When arriving to work at a client’s house, McKendry was given strict instructions not to let the cat, Bertie, outside under any circumstances.
You can imagine the fear and concern when he walked outside and discovered the cat casually strolling down the road. He quickly acted, catching the escapee and attempting to bring him back indoors. Unfortunately, the cat was less than enthusiastic about this plan. Unable to juggle both the unimpressed cat and the door handle, the plumber is forced to ask for help.
It appears that all is well, with the cat safely home, when, in a hilarious turn of events, the door is opened to reveal Bertie already inside.
That’s right! The entire ordeal centered around a completely different cat – Bertie’s doppelganger.
Both people in the video can be seen laughing hysterically, and they aren’t alone. The video has been circulating on social media, bringing joy and laughter to cat lovers worldwide. Many have shared comments praising McKendry for his efforts to catch the cat (even if it wasn’t the right one) and relating to his concern in the moment.
While this video had a happy ending, this isn’t always true. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you prevent an escape the next time you are having work done at your home:
- Keep Your Cat Contained in Another Room: If you can, place your cat in a room that will not be accessed during the work. For example, if you are getting plumbing work done in the bathroom, consider securing your cat in the bedroom until everything is completed. Don’t forget to set up your cat with everything they may need during this time, including a litter box and fresh water.
- Use a Carrier or Enclosed Pen: Is there no room available to safely contain your cat? A foldable playpen or soft crate is a great option that can be pulled out when needed, then collapsed and stored, taking up minimal space.
- Have Your Cat Stay with a Trusted Friend or Family Member: If you’re concerned you can’t keep your cat safely contained while still allowing access to your home for the work to be done, consider having your furry friend stay with someone you trust. This is often a far less stressful solution for nervous or anxious cats.
Experts also recommend having your cat microchipped. While this won’t prevent an escape, it can significantly increase the chance of bringing your cat home safely. Additionally, you may consider introducing your cat to wearing a collar with a breakaway clasp. This allows you to add an ID tag, making contacting you even easier if your cat is found without compromising their safety.
Britt Kascjak is a proud pet mom, sharing her heart (and her home) with her “pack” which includes her husband John, their 2 dogs – Lucifer and Willow – and their 2 cats – Pippen and Jinx. She has been active in the animal rescue community for over 15 years, volunteering, fostering and advocating for organizations across Canada and the US. In her free time, she enjoys traveling around the country camping, hiking, and canoeing with her pets.
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