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Day 14 for NYC Cat: Pet Psychic Shows Up

by Nahal Toosi, The Associated Press

Friday, April 14, 2006

New York, NY – It was inevitable: the pet psychic showed up. "I'm feeling her on the left side," Maxine Albert told workers trying to lure Molly the cat out from behind a brick wall in a 19th century Greenwich Village building where she's been stuck for 14 days.

"She can't move, she's hurt," added Albert, who also ministers to people.

Maybe, just maybe, Molly doesn't want to deal with what's waiting for her on the outside.

On this cloudy Friday afternoon, it was about 50 people — some coming, some going, some planting themselves down fir mly, and about half of them with the media. All were hoping for even a meow from the bashful 11-month-old feline.

Molly's plight has received international attention. Even Japanese television was on hand Friday.

"Slow news week, huh?" one passer-by yelled.

The last time Molly has been heard from was on Friday morning, when workers heard a meow, said Mike Pastore, field director for Animal Care & Control, a private organization with a city contract to handle lost, injured and unwanted animals.

Pastore and other rescuers have drilled and hammered out bricks in the cellar of the 157-year-old building. They've used special cameras and have set out traps. They've even tried using kittens to appeal to Molly's maternal side. All to no avail.

The edifice is part of a landmarked historic district where alterations are prohibited without official permission. But the landmarks commission has told rescuers to do "whatever is necessary" to find Molly.

"We're still drilling holes, but so far nothing," Pastore said. He insisted the mission was still one of rescue, not recovery.

Even "dog families" such as Ian McErlain's came to offer their support.

"All I want to see is that cat get out of there safe and sound," the 9-year-old said.

The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals sent someone to the scene armed with fliers reminding New Yorkers that it's "kitten season" and that spaying, neutering and adoption are all good options.

One person getting tired of the crowd was Peter Myers, who used Molly to catch mice in his delicatessen, Myers of Keswick, which specializes in meat pies, clotted cream and other British food specialties and is housed in the four-story building.

His phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from around the world, especially Europe.

"It's terrible for business! I wish you'd all leave!" Myers growled Friday.

But many onlookers didn't want to leave. They wanted to help.

"I think because cats are by nature responsive to other cats, we should get a person that's good at mimicking a cat in distress," opined Pauline Zahlout, who has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years.

One woman suggested using a low-grade vacuum to suck Molly out. Another onlooker suggested a male cat.

Allison Teich, 29, said Molly's saga should serve as a cautionary tale.

"It's very sad," said Teich, who has discussed the matter with her own cat, Pounce. "I was just lecturing him in the morning not to get stuck in the walls."