Firefighters and a tactical team deployed to downtown LaSalle on Wednesday morning to rescue a little stranded cat.
 |
| Photos: Joshua Polson, Greeley Tribune |
It was easy to hear the meows coming from the top, even though the cat was more than 85 feet from the ground.
A crowd of about 20 people — from a retired couple to a group of excited kiddos in matching outfits — huddled along the sidewalks to watch the scene unfold.
“I’m a cat lover,” Sarah Polizin said, staring up through the bright morning light as the team used an orange rope to lift a pet carrier to the top of the tower.
“I was just going home for lunch,” she said.
She ended up sticking around until the cat was safe and sound.
Technical Rescue Systems, a Fort-Collins based training firm, came out to save the cat, which had been stuck since Sunday.
“It’s a little bitty cat,” said company founder Steve Flemming, who was calling the shots that day. “(I don’t know) how in the world it got up there.”
The tower’s legs hold ladders, and the water hold has a wraparound catwalk. The kitty spent much of its time on little metal pods holding cell equipment.
Flemming said La Salle officials called his office Wednesday morning, filled him in on the situation and asked for help.
“I was like, ‘Absolutely, we’re doing that,’?” he said.
His company saves animals — from dogs to deer — pretty regularly. They train workers all over the world in safe climbing techniques. Flemming, like many of his employees, is a firefighter. He spent almost four decades at Poudre Fire Authority before retiring.
He said the LaSalle Fire Department did all of the risk assessment work and set the groundwork for his team.
The two climbers wrangled the cat into the pet carrier and lowered him to the ground in the carrier.
Once the crowd knew the cat was inside the crate, they all clapped. They cheered and applauded even more loudly when the two dismounted from the steely tower.
“I’m just glad it turned out well,” Winning said once he was on the ground.
He and Flemming held the same concern: Sometimes, when cats are scared, they’ll bail off the tower.
“I was a little worried,” Winning said.
The cat was immediately taken to the vet for a checkup.
(Greeley Tribune - Nov 2, 2016)
UPDATE TO STORY:
Colorado: Cat rescued from water tower soon to be adopted; deemed healthy, friendly
COLORADO -- A cat whose surprised face during a sky-high rescue on Wednesday made the rounds on social media already has a list of families who would like to sign up for adoption.
Dr. Anita Reeve with Valley Veterinary Clinic in LaSalle has been attending the cat since crews rescued him Wednesday afternoon.
The cat, which Reeve said hasn't been named beyond receiving the nickname Secret, climbed up to the catwalk of the water tower on Sunday.
On Wednesday, emergency services in the town made the decision to rescue the cat because it had been without food or water for four days. Officials said it had attempted to come down on its own several times but couldn't make it.
When calling for expert help in the high-heights rescue, two groups quoted the town $2,800 and $4,600 for help. Fortunately, TechnicalRescueSystems donated their time and resources, using it as a training activity.
Crews brought the cat down, and immediately brought it to Dr. Reeve, who said it's not a feral cat, meaning it has been raised around humans.
After waiting another day for an owner to come forward with proof of ownership, Reeve said adoption will be opened to the list of people who have called the town.
"He's a celebrity around here, and he's a sweet boy, too," Reeve said.
Physically, the 6-month-old kitten is doing well, is eating food and water, and has tested negative for any viruses or illnesses.
Reeve said whomever adopts the cat will have a celebrity on their hands.
DENVER CHANNEL VIDEO CLIP OF RESCUE:
(The Denver Channel - Nov 3, 2016)
No comments:
Post a Comment