Cat rescued from utility pole in Riverwest reunited with owner
Updated: 4 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2024
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- "Nairobi" the cat was reunited with his owner Friday after his family says he escaped while being watched by a pet sitter.
The Riverwest community came together Thursday to help rescue Nairobi from a utility pole in the neighborhood after hearing his cries for help.
A We Energies worker eventually brought the cat down, and on Friday, through searches on social media and the help of a microchip, the cat was returned to his grateful owner.
"I'd just like to say thanks to every single person that helped out getting Nairobi back home," the owner said in a video shared on social media.
Published: 3:07 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2024
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A rescue in Riverwest bring the community together in an unexpected way.
The people here in Riverwest rallied together Thursday, Feb. 1, to save a little black cat that was calling out for help.
After days of hearing distant "meows," Krissy Oleson finally found where they were coming from.
"I couldn't move on with my day until I knew this cat was okay," Oleson said.
After calling emergency services and having no luck, she posted online asking for help, knowing this cat was probably scared and starving -- and the community showed up. People like Emilie Rackovan.
"Everyone was just really worried about this cat, so it was really great to see," said Rackovan. "I could not believe how high he was."
Eventually, We Energies arrived, and after confirming it was safe to do, Greg Stuckert made his way up the pole to save this cat.
"I have a daughter that does cat rescue, and I'm an animal lover, so I guess that's the best part," Stuckert said.
"It's kind of surreal. The second he got him into the pillowcase to bring him down, I think we all just let out a collective sigh of relief. And seeing that he's safe now, it's such an amazing feeling to know that he will never be scaling another pole again."
The cat is now enjoying all the wet food it can get and is safe with Emilie. She says she'll search for its owner, but if no one comes forward, it will be taken to animal control to find a forever home.
