A kitten in your car engine?

Today, Team Catland was called to Mercadona after a kitten was heard crying from inside a car engine. Three compassionate ladies had noticed the desperate meows and quickly raised alarm.

When the driver arrived back to his car, he was less than pleased with the situation. Before Team Catland reached the scene, the ladies had already managed to free the kitten. The driver left in frustration. Shockingly, it later emerged that the man knew the kitten was inside the engine before driving to the supermarket.

Knowingly operating a vehicle with a kitten trapped inside is not only cruel but also extremely dangerous and potentially costly. Please read below to understand the risks and consequences.

Starting your car can cost a life

Did you know that starting your car when a kitten is hiding inside the engine bay can cost a life and also cost you dearly under Spanish law? Cats, especially kittens, often crawl into warm engines to seek shelter. Turning on the ignition without checking can cause severe injury or death to the animal.

According to Spain’s Animal Welfare Law (Ley 7/2023 de Bienestar Animal):

– Letting an animal remain in a vehicle or causing it harm through negligence is a serious offence, with fines from €10.000,- to €50.000,-

– If the animal is injured or killed, it can be a very serious offence, with fines up to €200.000,- and even prison sentences for animal cruelty.

What to do before starting your car

If you suspect a kitten (or cat) is hiding or stuck under the hood, please follow the steps below:

• Tap the hood a couple of times.
• Wait and listen for movement.
• If you still suspect a kitten is inside, open the bonnet and check carefully.
• Call animal rescue or firefighters if you cannot reach the animal safely.

A small precaution can save a life — and protect you from serious legal consequences.

Let’s keep both our roads and our cats safe!