April 21, 2008

North Arlington, N.J. –- Mayor Peter Massa sent out a cat call to residents while trying to find his lost feline, “Max,” but it turns out the 14-year-old Maine Coon was hiding right in his own home.

Massa’s wife, Val, said the pet was discovered Thursday inside a five-inch hole under the stairs, though she doesn’t know he got there. After going missing for two days, Max was dehydrated and hungry but otherwise fine, Massa said.

“He's so big, we don't know how he got into this tiny hole," Mrs. Massa said of the 20-pound cat. "But once he got in he had a very hard time getting out."

Using an automated phone system, usually reserved for reaching out to residents at election time, Mayor Massa contacted about 8,500 voters in the northern New Jersey borough, alerting them of Max’s disappearance. The message described Max and offered a $500 reward.

The Mayor said a few hundred calls were received from people expressing concern over Max’s disappearance and asking if they could help. Some calls came from those whose pets have been lost.

"I'm very grateful to the community for the outpouring of support," he told The Associated Press.

Borough Administrator Peter Wall says using the automated system cost $10, and was not done using taxpayers’ money or time.

The Mayor’s house is undergoing renovations, and his wife said their pet was likely scared by construction noise.

"He probably figured it would go away if he hid," she said.

After a search by police and construction workers failed to turn up Max, the Massa’s son heard him about 5 a.m. Thursday.

"We gave him a lot of love and attention,” Mrs. Massa said. “He's getting back to the way he used to be. I'm a happy camper."

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