Stray kitten joins rat race aboard New York City subway, is later adopted by rescuer
A stray kitten that became an internet sensation after boarding a New York City subway train last week has been adopted by one of her fellow commuters.
Emmie -- an ode to the MTA -- is now a Harlem resident after subway rider Betsaida Mercado, who initially whisk-ered the kitten to safety, decided to keep the two-month-old feline.
Mercado said she was heading to work in downtown Manhattan when she noticed other passengers smiling and looking curiously around the subway car.
Little Emmie had quietly boarded the train -- barely clearing the gap -- and was making the rounds, greeting other passengers.
When she first heard the wayward meows, Mercado recalls thinking Emmie was "super, super small."
Then, after no other riders claimed her as their own, Mercado stepped in, scooping the kitten up and heading back home with her.
"I am proud of myself for doing that," Mercado said, noting that she’s grateful for the serendipitous rush hour train ride that yielded her a new four-legged friend.
She took Emmie to the vet the next day, where they confirmed that the kitten was not microchipped and was free to be adopted.
"The minute we walked in, everyone knew her story," Mercado said, having posted the video of Emmie’s unique commute to social media. "Everyone wanted to take a picture with her like, 'Oh my God -- it’s the Insta-famous cat.'"
To help pay for vet bills, Mercado started a fundraiser for Emmie, raising more than $3,000 after the video of the subway kitten went viral.
She closed the fundraiser shortly after, saying that the funds were "too much for her to accept," and adding that she plans to donate leftover proceeds to a few animal shelters in Manhattan.
One week later, Emmie is now living with her new sibling, a 13-year-old dog named King, and is adjusting to indoor life just fine, Mercado said.
"Now [we are] being rewarded with a beautiful baby kitten," Mercado told ABC News.
And despite the morning chaos, Mercado was able to rescue Emmie -- and make it to work that same day -- on time.
