Cat Rescued From Rubble of Home Damaged by Sandy

A cat was rescued unharmed from a pile of debris that came from a recently demolished home damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

“Patches” is either the luckiest cat in the world or now has only eight lives left. Whatever the case may be, he’s alive and well thanks to the efforts of a local construction worker.

NJPSCA officials say Henry Bragg, a public works construction worker, was working at a dump site at a parking lot in Seaside Park, New Jersey back on November 5. The area, located at the base of the Tonney Mathis Bridge, was being used as a dump site for homes that were destroyed during Hurricane Sandy.

Credit: Matt Stanton

Bragg told officials he spotted a dump truck dumping debris from a recently demolished home in Seaside Park. As the truck began to get rid of the load, Bragg says he spotted a cat jump out of the debris. He ordered the dump truck operator to stop, jumped out of his truck and grabbed the cat. He kept the animal warm inside a heated truck and alerted NJSPCA officials.

Once they arrived, Bragg told the officers he was amazed that the cat, which he named, “Patches,” managed to survive unharmed. According to Bragg, the cat was inside the home while it was damaged by Sandy, while it was demolished by construction crews and while the debris was transported to the dumpsite. Patches was given food and taken to a temporary animal shelter at Toms River North High School.

Officials say they are currently trying to locate the owner of the cat and are unsure yet if the animal will be put up for adoption. 
 

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