In an apartment in Nizhny Novgorod, they broke through a wall to pull a cat out of a ventilation shaft.

      12 September 2025 18:05

      [297]

      Society — A real drama unfolded in Nizhny Novgorod involving a cat named Steven. The pet went for a walk and ended up in the ventilation shaft of a nine-story building. His fate was watched not only by his owners but also by neighbors, residents from other entrances, utility workers, climbers, rescuers and animal welfare activists.

      The story began when the cat ran away from the apartment and, through the stairwell, made his way to the attic, NTV reports. From the roof he fell into the ventilation shaft and became trapped. The owner, together with neighbors, tried to help — people tied sheets together and lowered them down, hoping Steven would climb out on them. However, the pet did not take that chance.

      After the failed attempt a new method was tried: pipes were lowered into the shaft to hook the animal. But the frightened cat would not make contact. Animal welfare activists and even climbers joined the search for a solution.

      Animal welfare activist Larisa Saplina explained that the cat was sitting in a small niche. According to her, there was a risk that with sudden movements the little box where Steven had hidden could collapse, and the animal could fall even deeper. They even considered breaking through a wall from the eighth floor.

      In the end they had to resort to that plan. On the eighth floor, in a neighbor’s apartment, they made a hole in the wall to reach the whiskered captive. The apartment owners agreed to help, understanding that the animal’s life was at stake.

      The noise of the drill frightened Steven and he curled up in a corner. But soon the exhausted cat nevertheless appeared from the hole. The owner and neighbors greeted him with joyful embraces.

      The rescue operation continued into the deep night. Now Steven is resting and recovering after the adventures that caused such an uproar in the apartment building.

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