A couple has earned widespread praise online after stopping their car to help a distressed animal—one they initially mistook for a chicken.
The moment was captured in a viral TikTok video posted on May 24 by user @brandon.joseph2. The clip has since been viewed millions of times, with many praising the couple’s quick and compassionate response.
In the video, Brandon and a woman are driving down a dark road when they notice a strange figure on the sidewalk. As Brandon slows the vehicle and begins recording, the woman asks, “Is that a chicken?” But as they pull closer, it becomes clear the animal is actually a cat with a plastic bag stuck tightly around its head.
At first, they fear the cat may have been hit by a car. But despite its loud, panicked yowling, the cat appears uninjured.
Brandon gets out of the car and approaches the animal. The cat remains still, allowing him to try and remove the bag, even when his first attempt fails. “It’s tight!” Brandon says on camera. Eventually, he frees the cat, which immediately bolts down the sidewalk. Brandon laughs and calls after it, relieved: “All right!”
The video quickly sparked an outpouring of support in the comments. “Thank you both for helping that cat, he was suffocating in that bag,” one user wrote. Another added, “Now I have to add cutting bags, crushing cans, and squishing jars to my list of things I do with my trash to prevent wildlife harm.”
Others echoed their appreciation with humor. “Thank you for rescuing that chicken,” one commenter joked. Another said simply, “You saved his life.”
Many also pointed out the meaning behind the cat’s vocalizations. “Stray cats only yowl when they really want to be heard,” one person noted. “That loud yelling usually means they’re calling for help.”
According to PetMD, cats yowl or howl for several reasons, often linked to distress. It can stem from physical pain, illness, emotional stress, or fear. Unneutered cats may also vocalize during mating behavior or to warn off other animals. Older cats, especially those with cognitive issues or dementia, might also yowl more frequently.
Whatever the reason behind the noise, Brandon’s quick thinking and compassion turned a potentially tragic situation into a story of rescue—and gave millions a reason to smile.
