Three Newborn Kittens Rescued From Inside an Industrial Shredder in New York

Oyster Bay, New York, USA — September 28, 2026

Three newborn kittens were rescued after maintenance workers discovered them trapped inside an industrial shredder at a work site in Oyster Bay, Long Island.

Workers Hear Sounds Coming From the Machine

The unusual rescue began when workers at a maintenance yard heard what sounded like cries coming from inside the machinery.

Concerned that animals might be trapped inside, the workers stopped and carefully began taking apart the shredder rather than operating it.

When they opened the machine, they discovered three tiny black kittens hiding inside.

Quick Action Prevents a Tragedy

The kittens were extremely young and appeared to be only a few days old. Fortunately, the shredder had not been switched on.

One of the workers immediately covered the kittens with a towel to keep them warm and contacted animal rescuer John Debacker for help.

Debacker travelled to the maintenance yard and helped carefully dismantle more of the machinery so the kittens could be removed safely.

Kittens Now Receiving Care

After being freed, the three kittens were placed in the care of a bottle feeder who could provide them with the round-the-clock attention required by newborn animals.

The kittens were reported to be doing well following the rescue.

They will remain under care until they are old and strong enough to be adopted.

A Rescue Made Possible by Quick Thinking

The workers’ decision to investigate the unusual sounds before operating the machine ultimately prevented a potentially fatal accident.

Animal rescuer John Debacker later shared footage of the rescue, showing the tiny kittens being carefully removed from the machinery.

What began as an ordinary day at a maintenance yard ended with three vulnerable animals receiving a second chance after workers stopped to investigate a sound they could have easily ignored.

Sources

• New York Post — Workers free kittens from shredder that could have ‘obliterated’ them in purr-fect rescue mission: video — September 28, 2026.
• Storyful — Three Tiny Kittens Rescued From Shredder — September 28, 2026.