MIDDLETOWN - Police are asking the public for help locating the owner of a cat that was rescued by authorities and a tow truck mechanic from speeding Route 36 traffic on Saturday.

Police Officer Nichola Fenezia responded to a report of a cat "clinging on for its life" on the median divider of the highway near Thompson Avenue and found the "very frightened" gray tiger-striped cat on the concrete barrier as cars sped past in both directions, the department said on its Facebook page.

Police stopped traffic and attempted to retrieve the cat, but it jumped off the divider and ran under Fenezia's police car, authorities said. Officers found the "panic stricken" cat hidden in the undercarriage of the patrol car.

"Rather than risk injuring the cat, the officers turned the police car off and called a tow truck and animal control to the scene," the department said in a statement.

Several lanes of the highway remained closed for approximately an hour as animal control Officer Kerry Gowan and tow truck mechanic Tom Meagher, of AM/PM Towing worked to free the cat, authorities said. Police officer Christopher Menendez and Sgt. Gerald Weimer also assisted at the scene.

"The rescuers were eventually able to free the cat which fortunately was completely unharmed during this whole event," police said.

The cat was not micro-chipped and was not wearing a collar or tags, police said. The approximately 9 to 12 month old cat was taken to the humane society.

"The compassion and concern demonstrated by everyone involved in this animal rescue was truly commendable," the department said on its Facebook page.

Police said the cat's owner could retrieve the lost pet by contacting the Middletown Health Department at 732-615-2095.

Ashley Peskoe may be reached at apeskoe@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ashleypeskoe. Find NJ.com on Facebook.