Dramatic Cherry-Picker Rescue of Texas Tabby
A big grey Texas tabby got an E-ticket ride to safety after a dramatic rescue from the freeway expansion joint into which he had fallen. The cat had probably been walking along the highway and either sought a safe hidey place or fell down into the expansion joint, three stories up in the air at Beltway 8 and IH-10 near Channelview.
Blake McGee was walking his dog on Tuesday night when he heard the cat’s plaintive, pitiful yowls. McGee contacted the Houston SPCA, and after assessing the situation, equipment was brought in on Wednesday morning. Chief Investigator Charles Jantzen (who is not afraid of heights) hopped in the cherry picker to attempt a rescue.
Jantzen spent some time allowing the cat to get comfortable around him, then coaxed the skittish, frightened cat with an offering of food. The cat walked the length of the roadway to a point where Jantzen was able to grab him and drop him into a carrier. Jantzen reported that the cat was obviously dehydrated and covered in an oily substance, indicating he’d probably been trapped for several days.
It’s not yet known if the cat is a stray or has a home. There will be time for the rightful owner to claim it, after which the cat will undergo medical and behavioral evaluations to determine if he’s adoptable. Mr McGee is hopeful that he’ll be able to adopt the cat, who he plans to name “Lucky.”
Thank you, Blake McGee, and thank you, Charles Janzen!
Blake McGee (in the hooded sweatshirt) takes a photo of the tabby he hopes to adopt
and name “Lucky.” McGee alerted the SPCA to the cat’s predicament.
Here’s video of the rescue:
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Another wonderful story of caring hearts. I think it is great that Mr. McGee wants to adopt Lucky. Paws crossed that Lucky’s vet visit and such goes well.
ps – mom is chuckling about the E-ticket
yay! a happy ending. it’s great that Lucky already has a home lined up if he’s adoptable (which he likely is if he approached, food or no food). that’s always a great thing.
ps. he looks more scared than angry. especially when he’s in the car, posing for the pic.
Purrring for lucky Lucky!
Kudos to all of Luckys rescuers!
We watched the video over on the CB, I wonder how he got there.
Awwww poor baby!! So many people would have ignored that poor kitty’s cries. Kudos to Mr. McGee and I hope he gets to adopt the little boy.
Yay for those nice human beans to rescue Lucky! We fink Mr McGee should get to adopt Lucky cuz he’s already saved him bet he’d take good care of him!
Hahah awhhh! This is sooo damn cute lol I’m glad he got down okay! The poor thing was probably soo scared!!
:D
Thank goodness he was rescued, must have been some very nice and caring humans!
We kitties sure can get ourselves into the durndest predicaments! Thank goodness for caring humans like these who can help us out of them. Bless you all.