What started as an ordinary Thursday evening took an unexpected turn for Eve, a resident of Howick, South Africa, when she spotted a furry intruder darting through her open door and into her home.
Surprised but composed, Eve followed the mysterious visitor into her laundry room, where she came face to face with a pair of gleaming eyes staring back at her.
“It was hiding and hissing,” FreeMe Wildlife recounted in a Facebook post, “doing its utmost to evade detection.”
Suspecting the visitor was a feline of some sort, Eve promptly contacted FreeMe Wildlife for assistance.
Experts praised Eve’s calm handling of the situation, emphasizing the importance of seeking advice before taking action.
“Eve remained calm and collected throughout,” shared Tammy Caine, a staff member at FreeMe Wildlife. “Wild animals seldom venture into human spaces unless in dire need of food or shelter.”
Soon, Caine and FreeMe Wildlife CEO Wade Whitehead arrived on the scene.
Identifying the cat as a serval kitten—a wild cat recognized for its spotted fur and long legs—Caine noted that such occurrences of servals entering homes are rare. Rescuers suspected the kitten had wandered from the nearby WESSA Umngeni Valley Nature Reserve, possibly orphaned and seeking help.
After a brief pursuit in the laundry room, rescuers safely secured the kitten and transported her to their facility for assessment.
At the FreeMe Wildlife center, the spirited serval kitten received nourishment, underwent a thorough examination, and was found to be quite underweight. Fortunately, dedicated rescuers are now committed to nursing her back to health and preparing her for a future in the wild.
“The kitten is thriving under our care,” Caine affirmed. “We’re determined to give her the best chance to live a natural and fulfilling life in the wild, honoring both her mother and our natural heritage.”
Eve’s quick thinking and compassion ensured a happy ending for this adventurous young serval.