In the right place, at the right time, Matthew Guidarelli was out for a run and came across a shocking find when he heard crying coming from the Normans Kill, a 45-mile-long (73 km) creek in New York state. "He stopped, listened some more, and then spotted a pet carrier sinking beneath the water," The Great Animal Rescue Chase & Harmony Fund wrote via Facebook.

"Matthew jumped in and crossed the current quickly. As he hoisted the crate, it seemed unusually heavy. He was stunned to find not only a large tabby inside but also a heavy rock…"

A tabby was rescued by a jogger, Matthew Guidarelli from drowning in a carrier.

"There's an absolute storm of serendipity surrounding this case. First, our hero ran across the bridge exactly at the time that the perpetrator must have been running in the opposite direction. Second, Matthew heard the cries only because he wasn't listening to music at the time of his jog. And third, Matthew didn't hesitate or wait for help. Had he waited for authorities, it would have been too late."

The carrier does bear a neon pink sticker that might help identify the cats past owner and possibly help lead to answers.

The tabby has been given the name Chance and "is an absolute delight to be around. His new 'parents' report that he loves to be brushed and to roll on his back. In just a few days, he has already stolen their hearts and they can’t get enough of him."

Story via The Great Animal Rescue Chase And Harmony Fund.

Matthew heard crying from the creek. Risking his own safety, he jumped into the Normans Kill and swam to save the cat.

He discovered a large tabby cat inside, but also a heavy rock.

The tabby’s been given the name Chance and "is an absolute delight to be around. His new 'parents' report that he loves to be brushed and to roll on his back. In just a few days, he has already stolen their hearts and they can’t get enough of him."

Share this story!