Italian sailor uses mouth-to-mouth to revive kitten

MILAN - The Italian coast guard has rescued and revived a kitten that was drowning by using massage and mouth-to-mouth, after children on shore drew attention to its plight.

A sailor jumped in the sea to rescue the cat, which was floating apparently lifeless in the water, as the coast guard ship entered the Sicilian port of Marsala after a patrol mission.

A video released Friday showed crew members administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and massaging the kitten to remove water from its lungs. They encouraged it: "Breathe, breathe. Wake up" and after a few minutes the kitten emitted a few weak "meows."

A veterinarian on shore says the kitten is now in good health. He has been given a home at the Marsala maritime district office and has been named Charlie.