The risky operation to rescue a cat hanging from the Vasco da Gama Bridge

A cat trapped in a lightning rod on the highest floor of the Vasco da Gama Bridge, in Lisbon, was rescued this Monday by the Camarate Volunteer Firefighters and the IRA — Intervenção e Resgate Animal association, with the help of a team from Lusoponte and a “private ship”.

The IRA shared images of the moment on Instagram, writing that the animal ran the risk of “falling into the river or fleeing to the roadscausing an accident.” The “private boat” was on standby to pick up the animal “immediately” in case it fell into the water.

It was a Lusoponte employee who “caught” the cat, who was rushed to a veterinary hospital where he underwent tests. In an update on the health of the animal, which has since been named after Vasco da Gama, the IRA noted that it “has no fractures or internal bleeding.” And that he is “extremely sweet, he likes to be hugged and immediately turns around to receive tummy caresses.”

“Yours breathing was compatible with the stress of the situation, but his teeth are pretty battered. IVF tested positive [vírus da imunodeficiência felina]so it can only be adopted by families with other IVF cats or to be an ‘only child’”, wrote the Association for Animal Intervention and Rescue, adding that the age of the animal is still unknown.