Cats are notorious for getting themselves stuck in tight situations. We’ve seen pictures all over the place of them stuck in jars, boxes, and anywhere else they can fit their bodies into, even if they can’t get them back out. The story of Sam the cat is pretty similar. He got himself into a really tight spot, but needed the help of policemen to get him out.

Owned by Lynn Allendorf Naimoli, Sam somehow managed to get himself, actually just his head, down inside the garbage disposal of the kitchen sink. Lynn says she tried everything she could to free the cat, but he wouldn’t budge. Desperate to rescue her kitty, she called 911 for help. Sergeant Brian Hughes came to Sam’s rescue.

Grabbing a hand full of tools and coconut oil, Hughes and Lynn’s son went to work on freeing Sam. Hughes jokingly reported that it’s not just firemen that can rescue a cat, referring to the picture of firemen rescuing cats that get stuck in trees. It took the duo nearly an hour to disassemble the garbage disposal and free the feline, who luckily, was unharmed.

Sam and his family live in Tredyffrin Township, located about 24 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Lynn said that Sam was always curious about water and liked to watch it go down the sink. Sergeant Hughes and her son were so calm when working on freeing the water curious cat, and she was really impressed. He’s one lucky feline.

Unfortunately, Sam isn’t the only cat to have gotten himself stuck in the grip of a garbage disposal. Another cat mom reported her cat Rudy got stuck in her garbage disposal shortly after she and her husband Rich returned from vacation. This couple though, knows exactly why their cat went digging in the garbage disposal. Rich had just put smoked salmon down the disposal and Rudy dived in after it; something he’s not likely to do again anytime soon.

It took a plumber, two policemen, and an emergency veterinarian over five hours to free Rudy from his predicament. Rescuers had to disassemble the garbage disposal and then completely remove the sink. The veterinarian was there to sedate the cat because he didn’t handle the situation calmly. Rudy, however, was uninjured when he was finally free, though he did stay overnight at the vet hospital for observation.

Rudy’s owner recanted the entire rescue on her Facebook page where she reported the multiple things that were attempted to free Rudy before the dismantling of her kitchen took place. They tried baby shampoo and crisco, and finally dismantled the garbage disposal. Still with Rudy not free, they called in official help. Rudy’s adventure cost the family $1,100 to replace the sink and garbage disposal (one with a cover this time), repair the plumbing, pay the veterinary hospital bill, and new wiring under the sink.

Rudy, who was originally given to the couple for free, is now a very expensive addition to the family. His owner reports that the 10-year-old cat still sleeps happily on the foot of her bed every single night, just like he did before.

Cats are curious and mischievous animals who often can get themselves in a bind but they’re worth all the trouble because they can be amazing companions and obviously, so darn cute!