Cat rescuers and New York State troopers teamed up for the dramatic rescue of a kitten later named Peek-a-Boo. The cute grey and white kitten managed somehow to get in the median of the busy Southern State Parkway in Queens at rush hour. Against all odds, cat rescuer, Corrinne, saw Peek-a-Boo playing just inches from traffic. With no time to spare, state troopers and another rescuer converged on the scene.
Corrinne Gillingham just happened to volunteer with “Long Island’s own Cat Hero,“ John Debacker, at Long Island Cats and Kittens Solutions (LICKS).
We’ve previously shared stories about how Debacker often goes to great lengths to help cats and kittens from all sorts of dangerous situations. He rushed to the scene, where State Troopers soon arrived to find out why the woman had stopped with her hazard lights on.
That’s when everyone began working together to save the 4-6-week-old kitten. How the little one managed to get into such a perilous position was unclear, but possibly, someone dumped her there. But now, she had a team of people working to save her.
“The troopers were amazing,” Corrinne told Newsday. “They went right into action and they didn’t give up.”
Image via Facebook/John Debacker, Long Island Cats and Kittens Solutions (LICKS)
‘Miracle on the Parkway’
Everyone worked together to save Peek-a-Boo, who was hiding in the weeds. Debacker coaxed her from hiding by playing a YouTube video of cats meowing. He shared that the troopers halted a lane of traffic for the rescue, which is spectacular.
With the troopers managing the traffic, the rescuers caught the one-pound kitten. Soon, she was safely on the way to the veterinarian and remarkably unscathed. She was only a little dehydrated. Corrine named the kitten after how she was playing in the median, dodging cars without concern, just like Zig Zag of the Cole and Marmalade family!
Photo: JessiCAT; JuggandZigZag
To Corrinne, it seemed miraculous that the kitten made it out of such a tight spot. It was amazing that so many caring people arrived just when one tiny kitten needed help.
“I feel like the hand of God was with us, like somebody was guiding the situation,” she said. “This was a miracle.”
Kitten at the vet.
Debacker also called the kitten a “miracle on the parkway” that Monday, June 6, 2022.
Where is Peek-a-Boo Today?
Recently, Debacker shared an update on Peek-a-Boo, who Corrine adopted after bringing her home to foster. Thus, a so-called “foster fail,” but who can blame her?
“Remember the kitten that was seen on the center median of the SSP by exit 21 last year? With the help from the state police, I was able to rescue the kitten where here she is now,” Debacker shared.
Once settled in, the kitten continued playing Peek-a-boo in her new home.
Images via Instagram/peek_a_boo6622
Now, you can follow Peek-a-Boo’s adventures on Instagram. As you can see, she is such a cute little miracle and seems to know it.
“Three months ago today my humom rescued me from the Southern State. I’m so thankful that I have a loving humom, great cat dad, and fur brothers and sisters to live the rest of my life with 😻❤️❤️,” they shared in September.
In November, Peek-a-Boo reached the milestone of spaying and enjoyed a wonderful holiday season with her best friend.
You can follow Long Island Cats and Kittens Solutions Inc. on Facebook and Instagram.
