Marietta firefighters put their hearts into it as they rescued a a kitten from a storm drain Monday evening.

Residents of a town home community near Kennestone Hospital say they heard a tiny kitten crying from underneath a storm drain earlier Monday afternoon and when no one could reach it they called for help from the fire department.

It took firefighters the better part of an hour to remove the heavy metal grate. Crews say the next challenge was coaxing the kitten to come close enough to catch.

They finally were able to corral the reluctant kitten.

Neighbors said they had no idea how the kitten got down there but couldn’t stand the thought of it staying trapped.

“I couldn’t stand listening to the little kitten screaming the way it was, and for them to go above and beyond the way they did was just amazing.  They’re just wonderful people,” said neighbor Kit Willingham.

Firefighters were thankful they didn’t get any other calls during the rescue operation.

Neighbors planned on taking the kitten to the vet to get checked out then put it up for adoption through Marietta's Homeless Pets Foundation.

(Source: WSB-TV)