Tiki the Blind Cat Rescued from Icy Pond in Westford

A daring rescue effort by passersby and construction workers saved a 20-year-old blind black-and-white cat, Tiki, after he fell into icy Nabnasset Pond in Westford, Massachusetts, on December 16, 2024. The heroic act has been hailed as a "miracle from start to finish."

Tiki, owned by John Arden, was out enjoying the cold winter air when he must have been chased onto the thin ice of the pond by a predator. A quick-thinking witness, Dawn Felicani, noticed the cat and alerted others who came to his aid. Two construction workers, who happened to be nearby, jumped into a rowboat to rescue the stranded feline.

The worker in the boat used a shovel to break through the ice, located about 40 feet from the shore, and carefully retrieved Tiki from the icy waters. The cat was shaken and in shock, with a body temperature that didn't register on the thermometer due to its hypothermia. However, under the care of a veterinary team, Tiki is now recovering well and showing no lingering effects from the ordeal.

The successful rescue is a testament to the kindness of strangers who stopped to help a cat in distress and the prompt action of the construction workers who risked their own safety to save Tiki. As Arden said of his beloved pet, "Tiki is doing well and acting like nothing ever happened," thanks to the selfless efforts of those who came to his aid.

The rescue of Tiki serves as a reminder of the importance of community spirit and the role that ordinary citizens can play in saving lives, even in the most challenging circumstances.