BOISE, Idaho—Haley Dube didn’t hesitate when she got the call for help. A cat had been stuck in a cramped, reeking drainage pipe for six days, and local authorities couldn’t reach him. So she strapped on a headlamp and crawled in.
For nearly 20 minutes, Dube inched through the pitch-black, narrow tube—just wide enough for her body—until she found Flaik, a urine-soaked, exhausted feline who had been crying more than meowing. With no room to carry him, she painstakingly pushed him forward, dragging herself behind until both emerged, exhausted but triumphant.
“I could fit, so that’s why I did it,” Dube told Daily Paws. “I’m not going to weigh the pros and cons of whether an animal should die or not.”
A Lifelong Passion for Rescue
Dube, a professional dog groomer and owner of Bark, Bath and Beyond in Boise, has spent seven years working with animals. But her dedication extends far beyond her business. She and her daughter, Kenadee, care for six rescue dogs, six cats, and two turkeys—even fostering kittens in their bathtub when needed.
“We’re the voice for the voiceless,” Dube said. “Someone’s got to stand up for them, and I feel like that’s what God put me on this earth for.”
A Desperate Search
Flaik’s ordeal began in early February when his owners reported him missing. The local fire department heard his cries from the storm drain but couldn’t reach him. Cameras sent into the pipe failed to locate him, leaving hope dwindling.
Dube’s friend, Shae DeBerry, attempted to lower a trap into the sewer but had no luck. That’s when Dube stepped in. Peering down the manhole, she hesitated only briefly before descending into the frigid, wet, spiderweb-lined pipe—just two feet wide in some spots.
“It was pretty gnarly,” Dube admitted.
The Grueling Rescue
Guided by Flaik’s distressed cries, Dube crawled to the end of the pipe, where she found the cat in a small underground chamber. After grabbing him, she maneuvered back through the tight space, pushing Flaik ahead until both reached the surface—greeted by cheers and tears from onlookers.
Days later, Flaik—now clean and safe—reunited with Dube. Though he didn’t recognize her at first, a few gentle nudges sparked his memory.
If another rescue calls, Dube says she’s ready—though next time, she might opt for goggles and a snowsuit.
“It’s for the animals,” she said. “They don’t have to be mine. I just love them all.”
Related topics:
