Cat Survives 30-Mile Ride Under Truck, Rescued From Highway 101 In Marin County

SAN RAFAEL, CA — A 14-year-old cat survived a roughly 30-mile ride beneath a truck before being rescued from Highway 101 Wednesday in San Rafael, Marin Humane said.

The rescue began Wednesday evening when a local reported a cat loose on southbound Highway 101. CHP officers said they responded and found the cat stranded on the freeway median.

One officer briefly stopped traffic while the other safely retrieved the cat and placed him in a patrol vehicle before taking him to Marin Humane.

Veterinarians examined the cat, named Artie, and found he had suffered only road rash. They treated him with pain medication and antibiotics before scanning him for a microchip.

The microchip led staff to Artie's family in Vallejo, who said he had disappeared earlier that day. They believe the cat climbed into the wheel well of a neighbor's truck, which unknowingly carried him to Marin County before he ended up on the freeway.

Artie was reunited with his family the following day.

"Even if you think your pet would never go missing, this story shows you never know what can happen, and an up-to-date microchip will always be your pet's fastest ticket home," Marin Humane said.

Marin Humane said Artie, a former community cat who was adopted by the family several years ago, is recovering well.

The organization thanked the Good Samaritan who reported the cat and the CHP officers who rescued him, while also reminding pet owners to microchip their animals.