Frigid Temperatures Lead To Unusual Cat Rescue In Tennessee

Bitter cold conditions in East Tennessee over the weekend created a dangerous situation after a cat became frozen to a metal manhole cover in the town of Jonesborough. The freezing temperatures were severe enough that the animal's body heat couldn't prevent it from becoming stuck to the cold metal surface, requiring emergency intervention from local first responders.

The Jonesborough police and fire departments responded to reports of the trapped cat on Saturday, working together to carefully remove the entire manhole cover and relocate it to a grassy area where they could safely help the animal thaw.

According to a social media post from the Washington County-Johnson City Animal Shelter, "the cat was frozen and could barely move." The cat was immediately rushed to a local veterinary hospital for emergency treatment.

The incident serves as a reminder of how dangerous extreme cold can be for outdoor animals, as metal surfaces can quickly cause frostbite or freezing injuries when temperatures drop. When the temperatures drop well below freezing, remember to keep your pets safe!

Senior writer Chris DeWeese edits Morning Brief, The Weather Channel’s newsletter.