Cats are known for squeezing into small spaces.
But sometimes, their curiosity lands them in situations even their nine lives can’t easily get them out of.
That is exactly what happened to John, an adventurous black cat with an unusual name, who recently gave her owner the fright of a lifetime.
John is only one year old, and like most young cats, she has a knack for finding trouble.
Her latest discovery wasn’t a hidden corner of the house or a mysterious cupboard, though. It was a drainpipe.
And she didn’t just poke her head inside for a quick look.
She went all in.
By the time her owner, Cassie, realised something was wrong, John’s entire body was lodged inside the pipe, with only her head sticking out.
“It was one of those moments where I thought, surely this cannot be happening,” Cassie said afterwards. “But it was. And she was stuck. I needed her to be OK.”
What might sound like a funny image at first quickly turned into panic.
Cassie knew she couldn’t get John out alone, so she called the fire department for help.
Within minutes, a team from the local Fire Station arrived, fully prepared for a rescue most people would never expect to see.
The crew assessed the situation carefully. The young cat was wedged tightly inside the garage pipe.
Any sudden move could injure her. It wasn’t a case of simply pulling her out.
With ladders, small tools, and a lot of patience, the firefighters set to work. Their solution was both clever and careful.
They decided the safest way was to cut a section of the pipe around John, keeping her secure until she could be freed completely.
It was a tense few minutes, but thanks to their precision, John was rescued without a scratch.
Cassie later admitted she was in awe of their dedication.
“They were really careful,” she said. “Everything they did was about making sure she wasn’t hurt.”
Once free, John was rushed to Vets4Pets for a proper check-up.
The veterinary team placed her on oxygen therapy and gave her mild sedation to remove any leftover bits of the pipe.
After a full examination, the verdict came back positive: John was perfectly fine.
A little shaken, perhaps, but otherwise her usual healthy self.
For Cassie, the relief was overwhelming. “I took her back home and she had a nap on me,” she explained.
“We had a cuddle. Then when I woke up and looked at my phone, I saw she’d blown up online. I didn’t realise she’d get so much attention.”
And blow up she did.
The Fire Station shared a post on Facebook describing the rescue, and it quickly spread. People were fascinated by the unusual situation and impressed by the firefighters’ skill.
The post read:
“John (Yes John) the cat had got herself (Yes John is a girl, it’s a long story) stuck in a garage drainpipe from the inside of the garage. The crew used ladders and small tools to cut John out. The easiest and least distressing option was to cut a section of the pipe out with John in situ.”
Thousands of comments poured in praising the rescue. But one detail stood out above everything else: the name.
Why was this sweet black cat called John?
Cassie explained: “My son is obsessed with the name John. If I ask him to name something, it’s always John.”
So when the family welcomed a new kitten, it was only natural that she inherited the title. Even if it confused everyone later on.
Now safe at home, John has returned to her regular antics, though Cassie admits she keeps a closer eye on her adventurous pet.
After all, not every curious exploration should end with a call to the fire department.
John may not know it, but she is now an online star.
A regular house cat turned internet sensation, all because she decided a drainpipe looked worth exploring.
Cassie is just grateful that her story had a happy ending.
And thanks to a team of dedicated firefighters, this curious little cat gets to carry on with her adventures, hopefully choosing better hiding spots next time.
Cats really do keep us on our toes.
Just when we think we know their tricks, they remind us why life with them is never boring.