With the biting winds and plummeting temperatures, people generally choose to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. At such times, trying to defy nature and demonstrate one's physical strength is unwise. Just as people don't want to go outside, pets feel the same way, trying every possible way to keep warm. While pets kept indoors fare somewhat better, stray cats outside are not so fortunate. Out of desperation, they often choose less safe places to seek shelter from the cold, such as under cars or under hoods. For drivers, this could potentially lead to tragedy if they are not careful when starting the car. 
Mr. Huang, a car owner in Hangzhou, took his car to a car repair shop in Yinhu Street for maintenance. After paying the maintenance fee, he left the shop. At 2 p.m. that day, Xiao Li, an employee of the repair shop, began to prepare for the maintenance of Mr. Huang's car. However, when he opened the hood, he was shocked. It was not because there was anything wrong with the car itself, but because there was an "uninvited guest" living inside.
A small yellow cat, looking rather dazed, was nestled inside the hood of a car that had been brought in for repairs. When it realized someone had discovered it, this "uninvited guest" stared at everyone with its round eyes. The little yellow cat was about 40-50 centimeters long and wore a necklace. After seeing the cat, Xiao Li called the owner, and the cat was carefully rescued from its confinement.
"How did a kitten end up in the hood? Luckily, it was in for maintenance, otherwise it would have been a real sin to hurt it," said Mr. Huang, the car owner, when he came to pick up his car later. "The weather has suddenly gotten cold recently, so maybe it crawled in to keep warm. I've heard of stray kittens or puppies crawling into cars to keep warm."
Mr. Zhang explained that kittens usually crawl into the engine compartment through gaps in the underbody protection panel. If the owner doesn't notice, the kitten will get burned as the engine heats up after the vehicle has been driven for a while. Some kittens will scream in pain, and in severe cases, they may be burned to death or killed by the engine belt.
Ms. Hu encountered a similar situation. She went to a car wash to have her car washed and also wanted the engine cleaned. When she opened the hood, everyone present was stunned to find a somewhat shriveled dead cat lying inside. A staff member at the car wash mustered the courage to "remove" the body.
It's terrifying to think that a dead cat had been on the car hood for so long. "Cats love finding warm places, and the tires and hood are often their temporary homes. After the car is turned off, the engine doesn't cool down quickly, and some cats will crawl into the hood to warm up," the person in charge said. They added that the cat was probably sleeping soundly, and when Ms. Hu started the car, the engine burned it to death. Ms. Hu also reminded everyone to care for stray animals and to honk the horn twice before starting the car in winter to wake up any cats sleeping on the tires or under the hood, thus preventing such tragedies.
The cat looked very small and probably crawled in out of curiosity. Because of its small size, it's easy for a cat to squeeze through the small opening in the exhaust pipe. Especially in winter, the engine and exhaust pipe of a car that has just passed by are quite warm, and the cat will climb into the exhaust pipe to keep warm.
If your cat gets stuck in a car wheel, don't forcibly pull it out. The cat might resist, and you could easily injure it. See if the cat can get out on its own; if it can get in, it can definitely get out. This kitten is clearly unwilling to be pulled out and is resisting. So, don't force it.
You can simply observe from the sidelines, or start the car. The cat will know the car is about to leave and will crawl out on its own. In winter, you'll often encounter stray cats and dogs warming themselves under cars, so check before you drive. At night, you can turn on your headlights and honk the horn to warn them that the car is about to leave and they should move to another spot.
To avoid harming stray cats, you can take some proactive measures. If your car is parked in a place they frequently visit, you can move it to a different spot. Generally, parking spaces in residential areas are assigned. Another method is to buy a fresh lemon from the supermarket, cut a slit in it to release the scent, and then use a breathable mesh bag to secure the lemon to the entrance/exit of the car for the cat. Theoretically, this method should be somewhat effective. The scent of lemon is very pungent for cats, and they will avoid it. Other similar methods include using essential oils like Tiger Balm or floral water.
In any case, winter is coming. Before you drive, check for stray cats and dogs. The more we remind others, the fewer tragedies there will be.
