To the rescue

Gustavo Santa serves the community as a St. Lucie County paramedic and firefighter, but finds the time for several other activities that are rewarding and fun. RUSTY DURHAM

Soldier, firefighter and savior of cats, this Santa is a real hero

BY ELLEN GILLETTE

Santa has organized several fundraisers to benefit others, such as a 2023 car wash to help Mayeth Cano [with banner at left, with glasses and blue bandanna] pay hospital bills while fighting stage 4 colon cancer. WENNAH HARRISON

You’ve probably seen the trope on television or in movies: A town so quiet that when a cat gets stuck in a tree, the entire fire department rushes to the rescue. Port St. Lucie firefighter Gustavo Santa helps cats on a regular basis, but more effectively in the long-term.

“Working 24-hour shifts, it’s hard to have a dog,” Santa said. “But five years ago, I saw a headline about adopting cats for the holiday.”

Before he had time to follow up, a friend sent him the same link. “I thought, ‘That’s got to be something.’ I told them I wanted something old and ugly — like me,” he said with a chuckle. “But they’re not ugly; they’re sweet.”

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