After somehow surviving a dash across a busy major road, Marlo the kitten climbed 10 metres up a tree. Taking in the situation, RSPCA SA Volunteer Mel knew it would be tough to bring the terrified kitten back to safety. She called for reinforcements in the form of MFS firefighters, who frequently assist RSPCA with tricky rescues. After a quick discussion with Mel, they came up with a plan.
As the rescue team sent one of the firefighters up on a cherry picker, a bystander began filming the drama. The goal was for the firefighter to get high enough to reach the frightened kitten, but when Marlo saw the yellow-clad man trying to grab him, the kitten panicked and (much to everyone's horror) decided to make a great leap from the branches.
Back on the ground and acting on instinct, firefighter Matthew (an ex-footballer at Woodville South) made a spectacular catch, saving Marlo from a very hard and potentially fatal landing. Letting out a whoop of joy, Mel swooped in to make sure the kitten was OK.
RSPCA SA shared the amazing footage with media, and it wasn't long before Marlo, who immediately after his rescue earned the moniker Fireman Sam, became an online sensation.
RSPCA SA staff cared for the kitten, helping him to recover from a minor scrape and a sore leg.
Despite having endured a nerve-wracking experience, the cat-care team noted that the kitten was incredibly sweet-natured, and was happy to put him up for adoption once the vet staff had given him a clean bill of health.
Taylor and Jessica had been looking for a feline friend to add to their household, and soon spotted Marlo among the animals seeking new homes on RSPCA SA's website.
Taylor had adopted a kitten previously, who unfortunately succumbed to FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), an uncommon but almost always fatal virus. It took some time to come to terms with that loss, but when Taylor decided she was ready to love another kitten again and saw Marlo's picture, she knew she had to meet him.
Much to her surprise, when Taylor arrived at the Lonsdale shelter she found out that Marlo was somewhat of a celebrity - neither she nor Jessica had seen the media and online reports about his miraculous rescue and had no idea he was so widely known. Famous or not, the couple felt an instant connection with the little kitten and took him home the same day.
Back at their Glenelg unit, the couple watched as Marlo explored his new home. In the early days, he had a habit of biting and scratching during play which turned out to be a passing phase, much to Taylor's relief. His leg was still a little sore for the first few weeks, but once it had recovered Marlo was soon getting up to mischief, as kittens do. He was a welcome addition to Taylor's life, and she remarked that he helped her cope with the loss of her last kitten tremendously.
Now, the couple has gone their separate ways and Marlo is happily residing with Taylor's parents.
Taylor worries that she will have to battle her mother over who gets to keep Marlo, as both of them are completely in love with the tabby. Even her father, who according to Taylor has never been a cat person, has a soft spot for the congenial kitty.
While Taylor hunts for a new apartment, she says Marlo is being treated like a king by her parents. The tabby is often showered with new toys and has grown substantially since he first arrived. Two of his favourite activities are playing with anyone who gives him the time, including Taylor's energetic five-year-old nephew and watching birds out on his 'catio' (an aviary-like structure Marlo can use to enjoy the outdoors safely). Once she moves into her new apartment, her plan is to have Marlo living with her again. "I couldn't have asked for a better cat," laughs Taylor.
The kitten has come a long way since his remarkable rescue back in March and has definitely landed on his feet since being taken into the loving care of Taylor and her family.
