Mandi Howard, a nurse from the Humber River Hospital’s emergency department, was in the right place at the right time, you might even call it fate. In this case Mandi’s timing would prove to be life saving.

Last week Mandi Howard was driving along Toronto’s busy Highway 427 when she noticed something being thrown from a car, at first she thought it was just fast food trash, but very quickly realized it was fur – it was an animal.

“Howard pulled over just before the Gardiner Expressway and carefully got out of her car, walking along the shoulder of the highway as cars whizzed by. Halfway towards the animal, she realized what it was.” 

The kitten, named Pedro was rescued from the side of Highway 427 and taken in to the Toronto Humane Society, where he’s been recovering.

She pulled over to the side and walked along the shoulder of the highway, waved to slow drivers down and quickly scooped up the kitten who was in bad shape.

“His poor little mouth is busted open and he’s got a tooth missing in the front and his paw was really deformed.”

Mandi cradled and supported the tiny screaming kitten who started to quiet down as soon as she began to sing along to Taylor Swifts Blank Space on the radio, while she rushed him to the Toronto Humane Society where he received emergency vet care. Little Pedro was treated for scrapes, the vets sewed up his split lip and put splints on his back legs. All of the toes on the kitten’s back paws were broken.

Pedro the Kitten after treatment looking better. -via Toronto Humane Society

Mandi, who had lost her own cat named May a week earlier, plans to adopt Pedro and said that it was May who guided her to Pedro “This was my day off. I wasn’t even supposed to be there,” she said. “She brought me there for a reason.” via the Toronto Star

Mandi is no stranger to animal rescue as she also runs Mama Meows Cat Rescue based in Oshawa, Ontario where her current list of cats up for adoption come from the high-kill New York Shelter (NYACC). The rescue specializes in very sick and orphaned kittens but is looking to expand and be able to help all cats and kittens. If you would like to become a foster parent, donate or volunteer your time to the rescue please contact them here.

An Indiegogo campaign has also been started to help pay for Pedro’s medical costs called The 427 Kitten and as of today has raised $5,885 in donations, well above what was required. The remaining funds will be put to good use and be donated to the Toronto Humane Society to help other animals in need.

The OSPCA is investing and looking for leads, if you were traveling on the 427 last Wednesday December 3 and witnessed the kitten being tossed from a car window, or saw anything that could help with this case, please call Constable John Ennis at 416-235-4981 of the Ontario Provincial Police. It is hopeful that a witness will come forward to help catch the abuser who committed this horrible crime.