Woman tries to rescue kittens stuck in boat on Bass Pro lot

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A woman jogging over the AW Willis Bridge in Downtown Memphis Monday heard the cries of kittens and discovered they were stuck inside a pontoon boat on the Bass Pro Shops lot.

Katie Hays found at least four kittens that appeared to be trapped deep inside a metal area near the motor.

"I ran down here and started walking by boats and just heard them meowing and could immediately tell where they were and that they were kittens," Katie Hays said.

Hays also saw the mama cat nearby but could not reach the kittens. She said even Bass Pro employees aren't sure how to free the animals.

"They can't get that metal piece off the boat. So, there is no way to get my arms back as far as they are," said Hays.

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Tuesday, the momma cat was inside the boat with the kittens, but Hays is concerned about the kittens being inside what is essentially a metal box in cooler temperatures.

Hays tried to coax the cat and kittens out of the boat and also took to social media for some animal rescue advice.

"I've got two dogs and a cat of my own at home. So, I've been an animal lover my whole life and I can't not try if I know they are there," said Hays.

MAS was also contacted, but animal control officers have not shown up yet.

Hays left a warm box with food and water underneath the boat and hopes the mama cat moves her babies there overnight.