Duluth Cat Survives 8-Week Underground Ordeal, Reunites with Family

In a remarkable tale of feline resilience, a cat named Drifter has been reunited with his family in Duluth, Minnesota, after an eight-week ordeal trapped in a sewer system. The incident highlights the extraordinary survival instincts of cats, which are known to have excellent hearing and can detect sounds at great distances.

Clifton Nesseth and Ashley Comstock's indoor tabby went missing on July 18, 2023, presumably exploring a nearby construction site. Tabby cats, characterized by their distinctive coat pattern rather than being a specific breed, are often curious and adventurous. The family, including their 12-year-old daughter April Dressel, launched an extensive search across Duluth, the fourth-largest city in Minnesota.

As hope began to fade and the family contemplated a memorial service, a breakthrough came on September 12, 2023. Neighborhood children reported hearing meowing from a storm drain at the construction site. Storm drains, designed to collect and transport stormwater runoff, can become unintended traps for small animals.

"Drifter! He's been under there the whole time! He's really skinny."

The family's efforts to rescue Drifter were captured on video by 16-year-old neighbor Dahlia Boberg, documenting the emotional moment when the cat's paw emerged from a tear in the landscape fabric. The reunion scene was filled with laughter and amazement from gathered neighbors.

Drifter's survival is a testament to feline endurance. While cats can typically survive without food for about two weeks, they can only last three days without water. It's likely that Drifter found ways to sustain himself in the underground environment, possibly consuming mice and sewer water.

The ordeal took a significant toll on Drifter's health. His weight dropped dramatically from 15 pounds (6.8 kg) to just 6.5 pounds (2.9 kg). This weight loss is particularly striking considering that the average weight of an adult domestic cat is 8-10 pounds. Despite this, veterinarians expect a full recovery for Drifter.

Upon returning home, Drifter immediately sought comfort with April, spending the night cuddling on her bed. The family is now focused on helping him regain weight, noting his enthusiastic appetite. Nesseth humorously remarked on Drifter's food-loving nature, even attempting to eat the syringe used for fluid administration.

The Nesseth-Comstock family originally adopted Drifter during a vacation in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, naming him for his independent personality. This recent adventure certainly lived up to his moniker, though it's likely that Drifter's outdoor aspirations may be curbed in the future.

This extraordinary survival story serves as a reminder of the resilience of our feline companions. While Drifter's eight-week ordeal is impressive, it pales in comparison to the record-holding oldest cat, which lived to be 38 years old. As Drifter recovers, he'll likely return to more typical feline behaviors, such as spending up to 70% of his time sleeping, as is common for cats.