Cat rescued after 9 days stuck on a pole

FRESNO, Calif. -- Utility workers in Fresno rescued a cat that was stuck atop a 45-foot-high power pole for nine days.

The Fresno Bee reports that Pacific Gas and Electric Co. linemen on Tuesday retrieved the black and white, big-boned cat named Fat Boy after cutting power to homes in the area.

The company said about 250 homes were without power while Fat Boy was rescued, CBS Fresno affiliate KGPE reported.

“Typically in our experience, cats get hungry or thirsty and come back down,” PG&E spokesman Denny Boyles said. “Especially, apparently, when we climb the pole, it’s not uncommon for the cat to choose that moment to come down.” 

Fat Boy’s owner, 14-year-old Andrew Perez, said the cat probably climbed the pole after being scared by a dog. He said he had called several agencies for help to no avail.

Local tree services also had declined to help, but Silver Villa of nonprofit Paw Lives Matter said she made sure someone helped the feline. 

Now, the cat is in pretty good health, she added.