Animal rescuers really are something special. They give their time, energy, and sometimes their own safety to help animals who cannot help themselves. Whether that means pushing through rough weather, climbing through difficult terrain, or stepping into situations most people would rather avoid, they are the ones who show up.
That was exactly what happened when John Debacker, an experienced rescuer, got a call about a small, helpless animal stranded on a busy highway in New York City. He did not waste time thinking it over. He headed straight to the area, focused on finding the animal and getting them to safety.
After driving more than 30 minutes, John reached the location. But when he first arrived, there was one big problem: he could not see the animal anywhere.
A Startling Find
As John slowed down and carefully scanned the area, he finally noticed a small, fuzzy shape near the highway divider.
“When I arrived, I actually missed him at first. I went slightly past him. Then I looked in my rearview mirror and saw him sitting along the divider,” John Debacker told The Dodo.
Quickly pulling over, he stepped out of his vehicle and cautiously walked toward the creature. To his surprise, it wasn’t a small object but a scared, trembling cat.
“I didn’t want to have to go around twice and risk the cat running away. Cars were coming at me pretty quickly, but I was kind of waving them to move over,” he explained.
Though John felt a surge of nervousness, he was driven by the sight of the cat’s fear, which gave him the strength to continue. When he finally reached the small animal, he found it completely still and terrified.
“He was pretty terrified. He wasn’t making any noise, and he wasn’t even moving,” John added.
A Dangerous Rescue
Knowing where the cat was, John rushed back to his car to retrieve a net, the safest way to secure such a frightened animal.
However, when he approached the cat again, it panicked and made a run for it.
“The cat was actually trying to run along the divider and tried to get into the sewer. He didn’t fit, fortunately, so I netted him right there,” John said.
John quickly secured the little creature before it could get into more danger.
At first, the cat didn’t trust him, hissing in fear. But once John got him to his apartment, the once-frightened feline revealed his sweet nature.
“When I first got him, he was hissing and everything. But then I brought him to my apartment, and he turned out to be the sweetest cat,” John recalled.
A Fresh Start
John searched for any signs that the cat had a family but found no clues. He then arranged for the cat to be fostered until a permanent home could be found.
“He went to my friend Kacia Caprariello’s, who fostered him for a few weeks. My other friend, Virginia Scudder, helped me find him a home,” he said.
Soon, the once-helpless kitten, now named Bell, wasin a loving home, far from the dangers of the highway. He was also neutered and microchipped, ensuring he would never face such a situation again.
“He’s living a wonderful life now, thankfully. Had he not been rescued, the outcome would have definitely been different,” John concluded.