Cat stuck on power pole for 9 days finally, FINALLY rescued

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - Utility workers in California finally rescued a cat that was stuck atop a 45-foot-high power pole for nine days.

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

Fat Boy's owner, 14-year-old Andrew Perez, says the cat probably climbed the pole after being scared by a dog. He says 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 says she made sure someone helped the feline. She says the cat is in pretty good health.

"Well, their organs can start shutting down after being dehydrated. I mean, you think about us not eating and drinking and sleeping much for eight days," Villa explained to TV station KGPE. "These guys are eight, nine pounds, compared to us. So, looking at him, I would've thought he would've been a little more weak. But, he's actually, I've seen him sit up and lay back down. He's probably going to develop an upper respiratory infection, being out in the cold and not having anything. His immunity probably went down. He's going to need lots of love for the next couple of weeks."

PG&E spokesman Denny Boyles says power on the 1,200-volt line was cut off, leaving 250 homes without power for a few hours.