Meet Wally, a fuzzy brown-and-white cat, whose story began under shocking circumstances. Last summer, when Wally was just a kitten, he found himself scared and alone, trapped inside a storm drain on the outskirts of Silicon Valley, California.

When a police officer noticed Wally huddled deep inside the drain, the concerned animal advocate quickly reached out to local rescuer Jenifer Lepow for help.

Lepow, the president and cofounder of All Animal Rescue & Friends (AARF), was determined to get the kitten to safety. She brought along her son, Ryan Lepow, for backup.

Arriving at the scene, the Lepows noticed Wally struggling beneath the pavement. Ryan removed the grate from on top of the drain, but nervous Wally couldn’t be caught. Eventually, Ryan rigged a small animal trap and settled it in the drain, hopeful that Wally would wander inside.

For hours, the Lepows waited for Wally to enter the safety of the trap.

“He would come out and sit next to the trap and cry up to us, and we couldn’t reach him,” Jenifer told The Dodo.

The pair were heartbroken to hear Wally’s wails, knowing he was so close to freedom.

“There’s nothing worse than hearing a baby cry and not being able to help,” Jenifer said.

Finally, in the middle of the night, the Lepows heard the trap snap shut. The little kitten was safe inside.

“I was in tears, I was so happy and relieved,” Jenifer said. “[Ryan] was just so pumped.”

Safe and sound, Wally returned home with the Lepows, where he received necessary care. In time, Wally grew into a handsome, healthy cat. Eventually, Wally was ready to start searching for his forever family.

Earlier this month, Wally and his friend Seuss, another AARF rescue cat, were adopted together into a family. Together forever with his BFF, Wally has finally found where he belongs.

“We are so happy that they found their forever home together, complete with a family with two gentle and fun kids,” AARF wrote in a Facebook post. “Happy life, sweet boys!”