On Her Way to Work, Young Woman Finds Animal in Drain and Takes Action

In May 2023, Camila Ávila was walking through the streets of Bahia, Brazil, on her way to work. Her job was to provide audiovisual coverage for an event featuring singer Ju Moraes.

Ready for a lively night filled with music and joy, Camila had no idea her life was about to change another’s.

That moment came when she spotted a helpless black kitten trapped in a storm drain.

As she walked, Camila heard meows — like cries for help. When she got closer to the drain, she realized it was a kitten.

In a hurry to get to her appointment, she quickly turned to social media for help.

Unsure if anyone had gone to help, the woman from Bahia decided to retrace her steps after the show to check if the kitten was still there — and she was. That’s when Camila called the Fire Department. While she waited for the officers, a man named Gabriel volunteered to climb into the manhole and rescue the kitten.

In an interview with Amo Meu Pet (our Brazilian website about pet news), Camila said that after the rescue, she took the kitten home intending to give her a temporary home until she found a loving and responsible family.

“Someone showed interest, but when they learned the kitten had a skin condition, they backed out, saying they couldn’t care for her properly,” she said.

Since she was so involved in the rescue and in caring for the kitten’s health, the woman from Bahia ended up falling in love with her — and, you guessed it: what was meant to be a foster home became a forever home!

“I was hesitant to keep her because I had already rescued two cats and I also have a Shih Tzu. But it was such a remarkable story — a rescue that lasted all night and almost until dawn. It happened right in front of the Church of Saint Ana (Ana was my grandmother’s name) and near the house of Iemanjá. That’s why I decided to keep her — I was afraid someone else wouldn’t care for her the way she deserved. I knew that with me, she’d be safe and truly loved,” she explained.

Red, as the cat was named, has been part of the family for three months now. Camila’s three other pets have welcomed the new member with open paws.

“Her name is Red, in honor of the neighborhood where she was found, which is also called Vermelho (Red) and affectionately nicknamed Red River by the locals. That’s how she got the name Red.”

As I said, Camila changed the life of a tiny soul!

“Today, she’s doing great — loved, cared for, and growing healthier every day, considering the condition she was in when found,” she concluded.

Camila compiled videos from that day and shared them on her Instagram profile (@camilaavila__) racking up thousands of views and comments.

“I’m glad everything worked out!” one internet user wrote.

“Congratulations, you were amazing! The world needs more people like you. Kudos to the firefighters and this great hero, Gabriel. God bless you! Love saves,” added another.

Check it out:

May Red live a long, happy life — and may everyone involved in her rescue be blessed!

Speaking of Rescues…

Another rescue that drew attention was the case of a kitten named Blue.

She was rescued by animal rights advocate Amauri Gomes, who found her covered in blue oil paint.

It took several baths with therapeutic oils to remove the paint that had been cruelly thrown on her.