John DeBacker, known for his unique “Catman” T-shirt, has become a local hero after rescuing a cat named Lola from a perilous situation. Lola had been trapped for five days behind a wall in a Long Island home after slipping under a floorboard while her family was moving.
DeBacker, an experienced cat rescuer with a 15-year track record, initially set up a trap with food to coax Lola out, but she avoided it. The situation worsened as she became stuck sideways behind a wall on the first floor, becoming weak and eating insulation.
With help from a contractor, DeBacker cut an opening in the wall and, using a quieter drill, managed to retrieve Lola by reaching through the hole. The moment Lola was freed brought immense relief and joy, as DeBacker noted, calling it the greatest feeling in the world.
After being taken to an emergency vet, it was discovered that Lola had ingested insulation. She has since returned home but is struggling with her appetite. DeBacker advises other cat owners to secure their pets first when moving to prevent similar incidents.
