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Italian sailor saves drowned kitten with mouth-to-mouth

Posted at 6:50 AM, Aug 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-08 13:39:04-04

MILAN (AP) — The Italian coast guard has rescued and revived a drowning kitten at a Sicilian port, after children on shore drew attention to its plight.

A sailor jumped in the sea to rescue the cat, which was floating apparently lifeless in the water, as the coast guard ship entered the port Marsala after a patrol mission.

A video released Friday showed crew members administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and massaging the kitten to remove water from its lungs, encouraging it: "Breathe, breathe. Wake up." After a few minutes, the kitten emitted a few weak "meows."

A veterinarian on shore says the kitten is now in good health. He has been given a home at the Marsala maritime district office and has been named Charlie.