By the time PETA learned that a tiny kitten had become trapped inside a statue of President Abraham Lincoln at a museum in Florida, concerned folks, including the local humane society and fire department, had attempted a variety of methods to rescue him, unfortunately without success.

The frightened kitten was trapped a few feet down with only a tiny hole through which his helpers could pass food and water. The only way to rescue him would be to break open the statue, but the museum owner balked.

PETA's caseworker spoke to members of the museum owner's family and warned them that he could face abandonment charges. Voilà! The next morning, the owner let the fire department cut a hole in the statue in a rescue worthy of the Great Emancipator himself. The kitten—now named Little Abe—is being fostered until he is healthy enough to be adopted into a permanent home.

Little Abe's rescue serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance. As Lincoln once wrote, "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed, is more important than any other one thing." If an animal is in danger, never take "no" (or even dozens of them) for an answer. Keep trying until help arrives.

A Florida man came home to a shocking discovery. The bank had foreclosed on his home, taken possession of it, and left his cat, Milo, trapped inside. The man called his lender repeatedly, asking to be let inside the house to retrieve Milo, but the bank refused. The cat had some food and water, but it wouldn't be enough to sustain him for long. Fearing for the cat's life, the man's mother called PETA for help.

What’s wrong with this picture? This kitty isn’t wearing her must-have accessory—an ID tag.

When we called the bank, the president was still averse to letting the former homeowner into the house, so we convinced the president to go over himself and put out food and water for the cat. Then, when Milo's guardian made yet another trip to the house to check on the cat, he spotted Milo—outside. The cat had likely seen an opportunity to escape during the bank president's visit, but Milo was frightened and wouldn't go to his guardian.

PETA walked the man through how to set up a trap using strong-smelling bait, and it didn't take long to catch the hungry cat. Milo was finally reunited with his relieved guardian.

Despite our best efforts, cats can become lost. PETA offers tips for guardians on how to get lost cats safely back home:

• Set out traps containing strong-smelling bait, such as mackerel, and check the traps frequently.
• Check in sewers, under bushes, under cars, in trees, under porches, and in every place that you think a cat could hide. Call his or her name loudly while you search.
• Speak to the neighbors, mail carriers, trash collectors, neighborhood children, and anyone else who might have seen your cat.
• Put a "lost" ad in all local publications and offer a reward.
• Put up "missing" posters on plywood at intersections and post fliers everywhere else—including at grocery stores, gas stations, and community centers and on utility poles.
• File a missing-animal report with all the local humane societies, rescues, and animal control agencies, and check their facilities every couple of days.
• Make sure your cat is always wearing tags with current information and is microchipped.

The following is a guest post from Bubbles, one of the office cats at PETA’s Norfolk, Virginia, headquarters.

Hi, I’m Bubbles, PETA’s Director of Office Companionship. It’s a huge job, as you can imagine, providing the other staff with someone to talk to at any time and training them how to be excellent companions as well. As an expert, I wanted to share my insights on companionship with PETA Files readers.

I’ve heard it said that “showing up is half the battle,” and I think that’s true. For me that means making my rounds every day sitting on this person’s desk and that person’s chair, rubbing up against multiple ankles and lying across computer keyboards. For you, that likely means giving your cats attention the moment you get home, playing with them, curling up on the couch with them, brushing them, talking to them and doing whatever they like to do with you. Some cats even enjoy going for walks on a harness. Of course, cats also need toys, cat towers, and window seats to make their days less boring, but quality time and affection is what they crave.

Look, I get it, we’re all busy. I sometimes have to help edit, write letters, help with inclement weather preparations, the list never ends. But being a good companion means making the time. My humans are worth it. And I know your cats are too.

For some more tips, check out 250 Things You Can Do to Make Your Cat Adore You, by PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk. You can also try to get in touch with me, but I’m rarely at my desk. Lots of companionship to spread around, you know. 

A plain-Jane litter pan shoved out of sight? Boring! It's time to redecorate your cat's bathroom. But before you call Extreme Makeover: Litter Box Edition, take a look at these snazzy slipcovers from KattySaks.

Fun and functional, these machine-washable fabric slipcovers—which come in three different designs (the Beach Bus, the Surf Shack and Le Dresser)—are guaranteed to take your cat's litter box from drab to feline fab.

Your cat really wants you to win one, so tell us what makes him or her a purrfect companion. The person whose comment earns the most "awws" around the office will win the slipcover of his or her cat's choosing.

After you and your cat finish debating which style to choose (my cat has her heart set on the Surf Shack), please read on: The contest ends on June 2, 2010, and we'll pick the winner on June 4, 2010. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting.

Good luck, cat lovers!

Written by Amy Skylark Elizabeth