Plumbers dig up parking lot to save trapped kitten in Sun City Center

SUN CITY CENTER, Fla. (FOX 13) - After a three-hour-long effort, a kitten was rescued from a storm drain at a shopping plaza in Sun City Center, Florida Thursday.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crews put an oxygen mask on the tiny creature, which was noticeably exhausted.

Equally exhausted were the plumbers with Sun City Plumbing Services, Inc. who volunteered their time to dig up the earth and find the kitten.

"I'm tired, I'm tired, I'm happy he's out, though," said James Beller, one of the plumbers who many on-lookers called a hero.

No one knows how the kitten got trapped or for how long it was in the drain.

People who stayed to watch and support the rescue crews said they were proud to see even the smallest of animals treated with such respect.

"I've been crying, that's how happy I've been right now," said Lucia Perez.

A bank worker who also witnessed the rescue outside her workplace was so touched by the effort, she offered to take the kitten home.

"After I heard about this baby being stuck, I was like, 'You know what, I wasn't looking for a pet, but I'll take this miracle.' This is a miracle cat," said Atoya Neal.

And, of course, Neal plans to name the kitten Miracle.