Kitty Falls on Texas Freeway and Gets SavedA 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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[PHOTO CREDIT: The Houston Chronicle]