The Anaheim woman said she was unable to reach the cat because the engine was hot and the animal had wedged itself in a tight space behind her car's headlight, The Orange County Register reported Wednesday.

An animal control officer also was unable to coax the kitty out of its hiding place and phoned the Irvine Animal Care Center for help. Dr. Karen Moreland, a veterinarian with the center, arrived at the scene and used sedatives to calm the cat and Dawn dishwashing soap as a lubricant to free him from his tight space.

Moreland burned her hands freeing the cat, which was dubbed Miles by the center, but the feline somehow managed to remain unharmed.

Christine Franco, a program coordinator at the shelter, said the cat had an implanted microchip and his Anaheim owners were contacted, but they never showed up to claim him. The 4-year-old cat is now available for adoption, she said.