As Lieutenant Nick Grimmer stepped out of his car after driving his 300-mile trek from Birmingham Airport to Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose near Helson in Cornwall, his ears perked up. Something was meowing. It was faint, but it was there and he needed to find its source. He searched everywhere, in and around his vehicle, but couldn't find anything.
So, like any man of honor, determined to satisfy his curiosity, Grimmer had some of the air engineers begin disassembling his car. They pulled off his rear bumper and found an adorable little kitten nestled right inside and meowing away.
Grimmer and his fellow squadron members immediately embraced the little kitten, whom they've adoringly named Tigger. Since finding Tigger, the squadron's Commander Brendan Spoors, Commanding Officer launched "Operation Tiger Kitten," aimed at finding Tigger's rightful owners, if he has any.
Using social media, they hope to complete their mission by week's end. In the meantime, Tigger is enjoying exploring the base, getting to know his new friends, and taking naps in the place he feels safest — Grimmer's helmet.
Keep scrolling to learn all about how this little kitten managed to survive her 300-mile journey.
[H/T: The Mirror]
Returning back to his base after spending some time on vacation, Royal Naval Air Station Lieutenant Nick Grimmer made his normal 300-mile drive from Birmingham Airport to Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose near Helston in Cornwall, just as he had so many times before.
However, once he stepped out of his car back at the base, all he could hear was meowing.
It was subtle, but present, and this curious Lieutenant was determined to find its source.
After scouring every accessible inch of his vehicle's interior and exterior without any progress, he knew this search warranted a deeper dive. He enlisted some of the air engineers to begin disassembling his car in search of whatever was purring.
The team removed the car's bumper to find the tiniest tiger-striped kitten, meowing the day away.
As Grimmer told The Mirror, "He must have had a long journey, but remarkably is unharmed.
"I am never late for work and was left with no option but to take my new friend in with me."
Grimmer had no idea how much of his 300-mile journey this little kitten had tagged along for, but greeted him with open arms nonetheless.
Grimmer is a submarine-hunting Merlin helicopter pilot with the 814 Naval Air Squadron, generally referred to as the Flying Tigers.
So, naturally, this group has lovingly named their new friend Tigger to stay on theme.
The squadron's Commander Brendan Spoors, Commanding Officer has launched "Operation Tiger Kitten," devoted to finding little Tigger's owners, if he has any.
To complete their mission, this squadron has taken to social media.
They're spreading the word that Tigger is safe with them and hoping that his owners turn up by the end of the week — at which point the squadron embarks on a new exercise in the Baltic and then the Mediterranean.
If Operation Tiger Kitten proves unsuccessful, though, this group is more than willing to assume full responsibility for their cuddliest new addition.
As Spoors told The Mirror, "We are more than happy to adopt ‘Tigger’ as a mascot; after all, it’s a tradition for Royal Naval units to have a ships cat."
While they wait, Tigger is enjoying himself. He's bonding with his new friends and exploring his surroundings.
He's even found a prime napping locale — inside Grimmer's helmet!
This Lieutenant got the surprise of his life when he found a kitten stowed away in his bumper. But now, he's doing all he can to ensure this precious animal makes it back to his family safe and sound.
What do you think of this adorable kitten's journey? Have you ever rescued a lost kitten? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.
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