A cat who was in very, very dire straits is happy and healthy again thanks to a trucker with keen eyes and a big heart who spotted him in the middle of the road.
It was March 30th, and Jake Heiar was on Highway 151 headed towards Cedar Rapids, IA when he saw a cat in the road.
“I saw him flailing around,” said the 38-year-old trucker according to The Gazette. “I just figured any good person would turn around.”
So Heiar did just that, parked his rig, and grabbed the cat out of the middle of the road. It looked like the tabby had been hit by a car, so he wrapped him in his coat, put him in the passenger seat of his truck, and headed for Cedar Rapids.
On the way, he called the SAINTS Rescue and Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids. There, emergency vets told Heiar that the cat had a collapsed lung, his femur on one leg was sticking out through his skin, two other femurs were fractured, his pelvis was fractured, and more. In most circumstances, the cat would have been put down, but instead he underwent multiple surgeries over two days. He was then kept in critical care for multiple days afterwards. And in the end, the cat beat the odds and survived.
“He allowed everyone to work with him and handle him, even though he was in quite a bit of pain,” Jan Erceg, medical coordinator of Critter Crusaders, said.
When naming the cat, it was an easy decision for Erceg. They named him Jake, after the trucker who scooped him up off the road.
In the months since he was rescued, Jake the cat has been recovering nicely. And on June 7th, at an annual fundraiser for Critter Crusaders, Jake and Heiar were reunited.
“It was a good feeling to see him again and see how good he is doing,” Heiar said. “I just hope somebody else would have done the same thing.”
Source: gobytrucknews, thegazette, crittercrusaderscr, facebook
Image Source: facebook
Ironhead says
Great job man. May God repay ugly ten times. Seems so many people are in a hurry these days, but taking a little time out to show compassion is key. Makes me feel proud to be a truck driver, well done brother!
Katerys says
People dont want to help people anymore… Trucker with big heart. Thank You!
Jangles the Moon Monkey says
MeeOww! Purrrrrrr…..
Paul says
Such a big heart, great job.
Craig says
Todays problem is that no one wants to help “CAUSE it wastes their valueable time,even if its just a trip to the store or coffee shop..
Maybe to that it means more responceability and people dont wanna get involved so i guess they are selfish..
Crystal Gamble says
I don’t mind helping children or animals but adults I worry about getting hurt.
Jim says
yep
Gwin says
Thank you for doing this! You are a true hero to that kitty cat.
MrNA says
Suh-weet !! And they say Truckers are big tough dummies. You have a good heart Jake Heiar.
Red says
Thank you driver for your kindness! Being an animal lover myself, this story really brightened my day. I wish more people would follow your principles!
Deputy Dawg 2020 says
Very nicely done, Jake….I also have a very dear cat at home, Lucky. She was an outdoor cat living in our apartment complex living under cars or wherever she could find a dry spot. Times have changed and she is now living with my girlfriend and I in a house after we moved. Now she is an indoor cat with all the amenities a cat could ask for. Very good deed on your part. Thanks for the quick thinking.
Screwfist says
It’s just a cat… I could understand a dog, but a cat?
Kelly says
Screwfist you have obviously never had a cat! I have had both! Great companions! Different but great! You idiot!!!
Don says
Bout time!! This is the coolest story yet on Trucker’s Report.