A tiny black kitten earned the name Henrietta after a storm that brought a near-death experience. Fortunately, rescuers saved her in the nick of time, and one of them went on to a fairytale ending.
When Tropical Storm Henri arrived in Hicksville, Long Island, it was nightfall. Thankfully, the storm lost power, becoming a depression before moving back out to the Atlantic Ocean.
However, the storm did manage to dump large amounts of rain. That night, Henrietta the kitten was trapped in a sewer and screaming. As the water began to rush into the pipe, there was little time left before she would be swept away.
Images via Facebook/ Last Hope, Inc., John Debacker
Animals Rescuers Team Up with NCPD Officers
As the rains were approaching, rescuers John Debacker and friends arrived where the kitten was trapped. Soon after, Nassau County Police joined their effort. It would take a team to get the kitten out, with minutes to spare.
According to the Last Hope rescue volunteers, the officers pried the top off the drain just as the stormwater began rushing into the pipe. Then, they worked to move the kitten so that the rescuers could pull Henrietta to safety.
“Both rescuers were waiting at the other end of the pipe with [a] long lever. A policeman freed and pushed the kitten to the side, so John Debacker was able to grab her in the nick of time. Otherwise, a wall of water would have drowned her,” the group explained on Facebook.
According to Debacker’s account, the outcome would have been different given a few more minutes.
“OMG! No lie but this kitten was minutes from drowning! Water was gushing into the sewer..” he wrote.
Then, the rescuers lifted a wet and terrified-looking Henrietta to safety, a real team effort. Aside from “a few sneezes,” she was unharmed. Then, the rescuers held her and were very thankful they could save her life, as you can see.
Henrietta Goes to Foster Care
Following the harrowing rescue from near death, the kitten quickly recovered in foster care with one of her rescuers. For three weeks, Debacker helped her recover, while Lost Hope assisted with veterinary care.
“Henrietta checking in from her new home 💗” he posted.
“💗 Henrietta made a friend💗”
“Henrietta turned into one of the sweetest kittens ever 💗”
Then, Henrietta was ready to find a forever home with one of her rescuers, who had already expressed interest.
“Henriettas soon to be new mom 💗”
🧚♀️ Henrietta Has a Fairytale Ending 🧚♀️
One of the people who helped pry open the drain, Officer Christen, expressed interest in Henrietta right away.
“Hooray! Henrietta, adopted by her hero,” updated Last Hope.
“And on Christen and her husband’s wedding anniversary this week, Henrietta “officially” joined the Officer’s family,” they continued. “Henrietta’s story has all the elements of a feline fairytale,” they said.
Now the lucky cat would have a Happily Ever After.
After the amazing rescue, the rescuer was thankful for all the help he received.
“Thankful for the Nassau County Police Department for helping me in so many rescue situations that wouldn’t have been possible without them,” wrote Debacker.
