Thanks to golden-hearted individuals stepping up to save lives in need, cat rescues occur every day. For cat lovers, we long to see every cat and kitten safe and loved. That’s exactly what happened one fateful day when a good man went out of his way to help a kitten in distress. A Long Island passerby recently noticed a tiny kitten stranded 40 feet up in a tree and knew something had to be done. Concerned for the kitten’s safety, they quickly contacted local animal rescuer John Debacker, who is known for his dedication to saving animals in distress.
As Debacker approached the tree, he could hear the kitten’s cries for help echoing from above. The little cat’s desperation was clear, and Debacker knew he had to act fast. “I could tell from his meows that he was in trouble,” Debacker shared with The Dodo.
Armed with a ladder and a tray of food, Debacker carefully made his way up the tree. He positioned the food in a spot he hoped would lure the kitten closer, trying to coax the frightened feline down. However, the ladder couldn’t quite reach the kitten, leaving Debacker to stretch out his arm and encourage the kitten to come to him. To his surprise, the kitten made a bold move.
Without warning, the kitten leaped into the air, and in a split second, Debacker managed to catch him mid-flight. “I wasn’t expecting him to make that jump,” Debacker admitted.
Back on the ground, Debacker was filled with relief and excitement. He shared the good news on Facebook, writing, “This baby is safe after screaming from about 40 feet high in a Hempstead tree for hours!”
Sadly, this seems to have been a disturbing pattern that must be addressed. To protect future animals and provide him with the support he needs, he must be banned from ever owning animals again and undergo mandatory counseling.
The rescued kitten was taken to Last Hope Animal Rescue, where he’s now enjoying the safety of a warm environment, regular meals, and plenty of playtime with the staff. The team at Last Hope gave him the fitting name Oakley, and the courageous little kitten is now on the path to a much brighter future.
To see Oakley’s incredible rescue, click ‘play’ below!