Franklin Square, N.Y. – When a family began moving out of their second‑floor apartment, their cat Lola slipped under a floorboard and vanished. After two weeks of searching, the frightened feline was discovered trapped upside‑down behind a first‑floor wall, eating insulation and growing weak.
Community rescuer steps in
John DeBacker, a longtime animal‑rescue volunteer who has been helping cats for at least 15 years, answered the family’s call. Wearing his signature “Catman” T‑shirt, DeBacker set a food‑baited trap and installed cameras in hopes of coaxing Lola out. When the cat avoided the trap and later stopped appearing altogether, DeBacker realized she had fallen and become wedged behind the wall.
With the help of a contractor, DeBacker used an electric saw to cut a small opening and inserted an endoscopic camera. The camera confirmed Lola’s position – upside‑down, nervous, and struggling for breath. To keep her from retreating further, the team switched to a quieter drill.
Rescue in action
In video footage released by the rescuers, DeBacker can be seen reaching through the narrow hole, gently grasping Lola’s hind legs. He then shifted his weight, stood upright, and carefully pulled the cat backward out of the wall. A relieved family member exclaimed, “Safe!” as the dusty cat was placed into a towel‑lined crate.
“After two weeks we did not want to lose the cat again,” DeBacker said after the rescue. He described the moment of freeing Lola as “the greatest feeling in the world.”
Aftercare and a warning to pet owners
Lola was taken to an emergency veterinary clinic, where veterinarians found insulation in her stomach. Although she survived the ordeal, she remains weak and has a poor appetite. Her family continues to bring her back for follow‑up care.
DeBacker, who owns four cats of his own, used the incident to advise other pet owners who are moving: “Secure the cats first and not after all the moving. The moving will scare the cat into hiding.”
Why the story matters
This rescue underscores the importance of careful pet preparation during relocations, a common challenge for families in the suburbs of New York City. It also highlights the dedication of local volunteers who step in when professional animal‑control services are not immediately available.
For residents of Franklin Square and the surrounding Long Island communities, the successful rescue serves as a reminder that ordinary neighbors can make a big difference in the lives of their animal companions.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
