“I was working the first wedding I’ve coordinated at the Morton Museum and had stepped outside to watch the wedding party take pictures. I heard what sounded like meowing, but figured I was losing my mind due to all the things I was trying to think about and do at one time. Later that night, as I was helping the wedding party clean up, I went outside on the church steps to retrieve a bubble machine. I heard the meowing again and looked over the railing of the stairs. Looking back up at me was a tiny little kitten! 

Clean-up finished shortly thereafter and I immediately ran out to Walmart to get a carrying case and kitten kibble before the store closed. I spent the next two and a half hours sitting on the steps in my formal wear trying to lure out the kitten and get him into the carrying case. He eluded me and I went home feeling pretty defeated. 

The next day I came in to work and decided to check to see if the kitten was still around. I meowed like a crazy person hoping for a response and got one—from under the museum’s giant AC unit! The poor thing had gone under there to stay cool and couldn’t figure out how to get out! I sent panicked texts to my coworkers, left a message with the animal shelter, and ultimately called the on-call General Services number with the most ridiculous request for help they’ve had for me yet. 

Tosha Miller with the Facilities Maintenance department arrived and together we tried to coax the kitten out using the kibble I still had and videos of mother cats calling their babies on YouTube. When that didn’t work, Tosha called the personal number for a shelter employee. The whole time we waited I was laying on my stomach in the garden bed (white t-shirt and all) talking to the kitten. 

Animal Services came out and set a trap with wet food right outside the AC unit. By that time, the kitten had gotten himself unstuck, but he still wouldn’t come out into the open. I promised to check the trap every hour or so until Animal Services came back to check the trap in the afternoon. No sooner had everyone departed did I hear the kitten crying. I peeked into the trap and sure enough, there he was! 

From the moment I saw him, I’d already decided I would like to adopt the kitten. Immediately after Animal Services picked him up and took him back for a checkup, I filled out an adoption application. It’s been almost two months since then. Now the Morton Museum’s resident stray, who has since been named Nero, has already become an essential part of my family.” 

- Maureen Smith, Collections & Special Projects Coordinator at the Morton Museum of Collierville History 

We love a success story especially when it involves pet adoption. Nero is now thriving in his new home thanks to the heroic efforts of multiple Town employees. You can be a hero too by adopting your next pet from The Collierville Animal Shelter. 

For more information about the adoption process and to see available pets, please visit https://www.colliervilletn.gov/government/pet-adoption