Tauranga 'cat whisperer' saves kitten trapped in car

A kitten stuck inside a car's dashboard has been saved and returned to its grateful owners thanks to the efforts of Tauranga firefighters.

Firefighters got a call to help rescue the tiny feline at 11.45pm at the Greerton McDonald's car park last night.

Station officer Paul van Kol said the kitten had become trapped under the dash board of the car and its owners became concerned for its safety after it didn't come out when doors were left open.

"The boys were just about to give up but managed to wiggle that old speedometer that popped out and there it was just sitting there."

Mr van Kol said the owner worked as a travel salesperson who was concerned about travelling around the country today with the kitten still inside.

The owner was particularly grateful at the kitten's rescue, Mr van Kol said.

"We spent a bit of time there, tried to help."

The kitten was safety reunited with its owner at 12.25am.

Northern Fire Communications shift manager Paul Radden said the situation was described in the situation report as the brigade's ''finest cat whisperer trying to coax cat from dash board''.