Greensboro rescuers free cat trapped with Doritos bag

A coordinated rescue in Guilford County ended safely after a stray cat was found stuck on the roof of a house at a new construction site with a Doritos bag covering his head. Officers from Guilford County Animal Services responded to the call and, concerned for the animal’s welfare, asked the Greensboro Fire Department to assist.

When responders reached the scene on Jan. 16, the cat was motionless atop the building. Officers could not tell whether he was frozen in fear or struggling to breathe. Firefighters climbed onto the roof to reach him and as they approached he began to squirm. The bag was removed, the cat was placed in a carrier and brought down without injury.

Now being cared for at the Guilford County Animal Services shelter, the cat has been nicknamed Battalion Chief Dorito. Shelter staff estimate he is about five years old and say he is still recovering from the ordeal. Officials plan to list him on the shelter’s website when he is available for adoption, and residents may explore current rescue pets on the shelter site.

Beyond the heartening rescue, the incident highlights public health and community safety issues tied to stray animals and local construction sites. A plastic snack bag over a cat’s head poses an immediate risk of suffocation. Stray animals can also face injury, dehydration and exposure at building sites where debris, unsecured materials and open access create hazards. For first responders and animal services, these calls demand cross-agency cooperation and resources that are often already stretched thin.

The episode also points to everyday actions residents and local businesses can take to reduce preventable harm: secure trash and food waste, cover or remove lightweight packaging that can trap animals, and notify animal services promptly if an animal is in distress. Construction companies and contractors have a particular role in securing sites to prevent animals from becoming trapped or injured.

For neighbors in Guilford County, the rescue is a reminder that small items around the yard can become life-threatening for wildlife and pets. It is also an opportunity to consider adoption or fostering from the county shelter, where animals like Battalion Chief Dorito receive medical checks and care before being matched with new homes.

The cat is now safe and receiving shelter care; watch the Guilford County Animal Services website for his adoption listing and for updates on other available rescue pets.