The five-day struggle
Sometimes the real heroes don't need a cape—they just need a cat trap and a plan. John DeBacker, a veteran cat rescuer with over 15 years of experience, just pulled off the save of a lifetime in Franklin Square, Long Island. The mission? Rescuing Lola, a cat who went missing during her family’s move.
Lola had ducked under a floorboard while her family was moving out of their apartment, and things went south fast. She eventually fell and ended up stuck upside down behind a first-floor wall. For five days, the poor thing was trapped in total darkness, surviving only by eating insulation.
The rescue operation
DeBacker initially tried to lure Lola out with food and cameras, but she wasn't biting. When she stopped appearing entirely, the stakes went through the roof. Finally, last Friday, with a contractor on deck, they got serious. Using an electric saw and an endoscopic camera, they located the cat behind the wall. To make sure she didn't bolt deeper into the structure, they switched to a quieter drill.
In a tense moment caught on video, DeBacker reached into the narrow gap, grabbed Lola’s hind legs, and carefully pulled her out. "Safe!" someone cried out as the exhausted cat was wrapped in a towel.
The aftermath
Lola was rushed to an emergency vet, where they found insulation in her body. She’s currently reunited with her family but is struggling to keep her appetite up. DeBacker, who keeps four cats of his own, had a major piece of advice for anyone planning a move: secure your pets before you start packing, not after. "The moving will scare the cat into hiding," he noted. Real talk, this cat is lucky to be alive after being stuck upside down with no food or water for that long—it’s giving total main character energy.
Why it matters
Moving is stressful for everyone, but for pets, it can be a legit nightmare. DeBacker’s successful rescue is a reminder to always prioritize your pet’s safety before the chaos of packing starts, especially when they’re prone to finding those impossible hiding spots.
