Dec. 18 (UPI) — A 20-year-old blind cat fell through the ice on a frozen lake and was rescued by some locals, animal control officials said.
Westlake Animal Control in Massachusetts said in a Facebook post that Westlake police received a call from a member of the public reporting a cat standing on a chunk of ice floating in the middle of Nabnasset Lake.
The caller said she could hear the ice cracking beneath the animal, and moments later the cat fell through it into the icy water.
A pair of witnesses, identified only as Kris S. and Nate P., quickly took action before animal control personnel arrived.
Nate used a rowboat to get into the lake and used a shovel to break the ice along the way. He was able to pluck the cat from the water and the duo took the wet animal inside to warm up with blankets.
Animal control officers arrived and were able to take the cat, who was lethargic and in shock, to a local veterinarian for treatment.
The cat was later identified as Tiki, a 20-year-old blind cat who went missing from his owner’s home.
“We believe Tiki was chased onto the ice by a predator last night and was stuck on the ice all night, floating across the lake,” the post said.