Fairhaven Officer Rescues Injured Kitten Trapped Under Porch

In a world where the news can feel heavy, a simple act of kindness in Fairhaven is reminding us that everyday heroes still walk among us.

On Monday, December 8, Fairhaven Police Officer Patrick Claflin, who just started with the department this year, responded to a call that would test his heart more than his handcuffs. Around 1 p.m., he was dispatched to Adams Street for a report of a kitten struck by a car that ran beneath a porch for shelter.

When Officer Claflin arrived, it quickly became clear the situation was serious. The kitten was limping and terrified, and became wedged between a porch post and the lattice.

Crawling Under the Porch to Make the Rescue

Instead of calling it in and walking away, Claflin got to work.

Using a screwdriver borrowed from the homeowner, he carefully unscrewed the porch lattice as neighbors held it back. Then, in full uniform and on his own, he climbed underneath and spent several tense minutes slowly working the injured cat free, being careful not to cause more harm.

Courtesy Patrick Clafflin

Once the kitten was safely rescued, the homeowner provided blankets and an old cat carrier. Mattapoisett Animal Control arrived shortly after, and Claflin personally followed them to New England Animal Hospital to make sure the kitten received immediate care.

No Update Yet, But All Signs Point to Hope

Thankfully, the kitten was alive when it was dropped off, and while no official update has been given yet, Claflin said he’s hopeful, adding that sometimes, “no news is good news.”

What makes this story even sweeter is that this all happened during an overtime shift. Claflin usually works overnight, but he was filling in during the day when the call came in.

“I was here, so I had to do something,” he said simply.

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A Thank You That Spread Across Fairhaven

His quiet heroics didn’t stay quiet for long.

Local resident Eileen Cadorette took to Facebook to publicly praise Claflin for going above and beyond. Her post quickly made the rounds, eventually landing on the desk of the department’s social media team – and yes, it was proudly shared.

Claflin, who followed in his father’s footsteps to become an officer, said stories like this remind him why he chose the job in the first place. His dad, Richard “Dicky” Claflin, is a retired Fairhaven Police officer who served the town for 36 years.

Before joining Fairhaven Police, Patrick spent years in hospital security, building strong skills in communication and de-escalation. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Bristol Community College and is currently working toward his Bachelor’s Degree at UMass Dartmouth.