Just before sunset on a chilly January evening in 2025, Greenpoint Cats received an urgent message from a man named Jacob.
He had spotted a tiny black-and-white kitten clinging to the ledge of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway — 50 feet in the air, with cars racing past on one side and a deadly drop on the other.
When rescuers arrived, their fears were confirmed. The kitten had been stranded for hours, frozen in place with nowhere to go.
“It was terrifying to witness and, obviously, even more terrifying for the kitten,” Greenpoint Cats wrote on Instagram.
The group quickly put out calls for help. While they waited for police and firefighters, neighbors and strangers alike gathered below.
Cyclists, drivers and even volunteers from Puppy Kitty NYC showed up, forming a crowd of supporters. Together, they helped divert traffic and positioned themselves with a safety net, ready to catch the little cat if she fell.
Becky Wisdom, president of Greenpoint Cats, knew the situation was too dangerous for civilians to attempt a rescue on the elevated roadway. Thankfully, help arrived in the form of Officer Hernandez from Brooklyn’s 94th Precinct — and he had a plan.
With a calm hand, Hernandez placed a large dog carrier on its side, gently nudged the frightened kitten inside, and closed the door. Just like that, the nightmare was over.
The kitten, later named Perry, was shaken but safe. Within hours, she was lying on her back, allowing rescuers to rub her belly — a moment of pure relief after such a harrowing ordeal.
Puppy Kitty NYC took Perry in, determined to find her a foster home. But once the initial shock faded, Perry’s true personality emerged: wary, timid and unsure of people. Like many street-raised kittens, she struggled with human interaction.
“Once rescued … Perry remembered she’s a kitten who is very fearful of humans,” Wisdom explained. “We knew she would need time in a foster home to build trust and let down her defenses.”
You can see Perry’s timid behavior here:
That’s when Alyssa from Adoptables NYC stepped in. Patient and gentle, she spoke softly to Perry, offered treats like Churu, and even used a back scratcher to help the kitten get used to touch.
Slowly, Perry began to relax. She crept out of her cubby, accepted more pets and, before long, started to purr.
You can see Perry’s transformation here:
“She is doing so well, allowing people to pet her and purring,” Meagan from Puppy Kitty NYC told The Dodo. “[She’s] really ready for a home!”
Today, Perry is thriving in foster care and officially ready for adoption. Her rescuers believe she’d do best in a home with another young cat to play with.
See the latest Perry update here:
From a ledge high above a roaring highway to a safe place filled with love, Perry’s journey is a testament to the power of community and compassion.
If you’re interested in adopting Perry, you can reach out to Puppy Kitty NYC on Instagram or through their website. To support the organizations that made her rescue possible, consider donating to Greenpoint Cats, Puppy Kitty NYC, and/or Adoptables NYC.
