Trapped cats

I travelled to Malta over the Easter weekend with my family and we stayed at our flat in Mellieha Bay. During our five-day stay, we had to rescue three cats that fell/jumped down the backyard of a flat below us, which opens up into the street. Something obviously drew them down there but I can't figure out what.

The first one was easy to release because someone luckily happened to be in; the other two not, the first one of which spent three days exposed to the elements (which weren't pleasant if one remembers). He was lucky, we were the only ones there and we made sure he was at least watered and fed. It had a collar on, so it was a pet.

I telephoned the SPCA, feline animal association, civil defence, the police, and anybody else who I thought might be able to help - they either didn't answer the phone or told me they couldn't help because they had to ask permission from the residents. But this wasn't a ball or some trinket one is trying to retrieve, it's a poor animal which under European laws has rights too. I hate to think that I would be treated in the same way if I fell into this backyard! Or maybe if smoke is coming out from under the door the fire department will wait until the whole street burns down before they get permission to enter the premises. I'm talking back yard with no access to premises here.

Surely one has to assume that permission would be given in an emergency, and if that's the case no law has been broken. I also would not like to be the one (or my young children) to open the door to my back yard to find a dead carcass. Indeed I would be grateful for outside intervention; after all, access to the premises is secure anyway.

I hasten to add that the SPCA in Gozo did answer the phone on both occasions that I called, and they did attempt to give me some advice, although they could not do anything themselves. Perhaps the SPCA in Malta could get the situation clarified.