Palmerton resident thanks officers for saving cat

The victim of a June house fire offered a tearful thank you Thursday to the two police officers responsible for saving one of her cats from the blaze.

Paula Zelienka stood up during the public comment portion of Palmerton’s monthly council meeting to express her gratitude for officers Shawn Leadbetter and Dane O’Brien of the Palmerton Borough Police Department. Zelienka was able to escort her two dogs from the burning home. But she said when the officers heard there were two cats still trapped inside, they climbed to the second story of the home using a ladder.

Leadbetter and O’Brien were able to get one of the cats, a tabby named Yoda, away from the fire. A photo of Leadbetter holding Yoda while another responder administers oxygen to the cat circulated online, garnering a few hundred likes.

The other cat, Pixie, was later found in the home unharmed.

“We can’t say enough about the first responders that saved our home from completely going up in flames,” Zelienka told council as her husband, Kevin, sat beside her.

She added that Leadbetter even sent treats to Yoda after the ordeal, asking for a follow-up on his condition.

As a result of first responders’ quick work, Zelienka noted, the home will only take nine months to rebuild.

She also highlighted the efforts of Mike Kercsmar — of the Palmerton Fire Company — who was one of the first to arrive on the scene, and the Palmerton Cat Project, who had a hand in Yoda’s rehabilitation.

Fire companies from numerous communities responded to the dwelling fire just after 3:30 p.m. on June 16 in the 300 block of Lafayette Avenue.

When first responders arrived on scene they reported a working dwelling in the rear of the home because of a clothes dryer.

Palmerton police were the first to arrive on scene rescuing a cat from the roof of the dwelling which was taking in smoke.

“I just want to thank everyone for all their help,” Zelienka said, holding back tears.