Family Spends Thanksgiving Trying to Rescue Beloved Cat (and Human) from a Tree
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We all love spending the holidays with our pets, but a Rochester, New York, family may have reached their max after exhausting almost all of their Thanksgiving trying to coax their cat down from a tree.
According to WHEC, the family woke up to find their feline friend named Flock in a nearby tree, and spent the next 18 hours trying to get him down. They called the Rochester Fire Department for help, but firefighters told them they don’t respond to cat rescue calls anymore because they need to be on call to save us humans. So one of the cat’s owners decided to retrieve the cat and—you’re not gonna believe this—got stuck in the tree himself.
It may have been a harrowing experience for human and cat alike, but that did get the fire department to come out with their long ladder to retrieve the pair. Firefighters got the man safely back to the ground and stuck around to retrieve Flock, too.
"They did rescue the guy, and we asked them could you please get the cat as well," neighbor Moseveanna Camp told WHEC. "They came and they saw how high the cat was. They struggled for a little bit but were able to get them thankfully—and I'm very thankful for the fire department that did that."
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If you’re wondering if there's a safe way to get your cat down from a tree—without needing rescue yourself—there are some things to consider if you find yourself in a situation like Flock:
Cat claws are great for climbing up, but they’re not suited for getting down from a tree. Shaun Sears of Canopy Cat Rescue tells KUOW that cats will climb upwards until they feel safe only to realize they’re stuck up high. The only way for them to get down is to climb down backwards, which isn’t an appealing option.
Cats who find themselves out on a limb can survive in trees for a while, up to two weeks, Sears says. Your cats might come down on their own, but don’t wait too long to take action. (More on that in a minute.)
Don’t leave out food, Sears tells KUOW. That’s a good way to attract other animals—potentially predators—and reinforce your cat’s decision to climb up the tree.
How to Rescue Your Cat from a Tree
The right person can get the right cat out of a tree, but most importantly, if you have even the slightest doubts about getting your cat down from a tree, put down the ladder and call an expert. There is an entire nationwide directory of cat rescuers who can help while you watch from the safety of the ground. If there isn't a cat rescue expert in your area, the fine folks behind the Cat in a Tree Emergency Rescue website suggest calling your local animal shelter or a tree care company in your area who might be able to help. (These are professional tree climbers, after all.)
Keep in mind that the Rochester Fire Department isn’t an outlier. Generally, fire departments aren’t going to respond to a call about a cat in the tree, since they need to be able to respond quickly to humans in emergency situations. Don’t call 911 if your cat takes to the branches.
But if you have a sturdy ladder and the tree isn’t too high—fewer than 20 feet, Sears says—you can climb up there and try to bring the cat down. Just make sure there aren’t any nearby power lines and ensure the help of a friend or neighbor who can help keep the ladder sturdy from below as you ascend.
Another option Sears recommends: Tie a rope to a rock or ball to the end of a rope and throw the ball over a limb near your cat. Then fasten the rope to your cat carrier and hoist it on up there. If your kitty is comfortable with her crate, she may climb into the carrier and you can safely, slowly lower her down. Just be extra careful where you're tossing the rope, since you don't want to accidentally harm your feline friend.
How to Keep Your Cat Out of Trees
Having your cat get stuck in a tree is no fun for anyone—cat or human alike—so you're better off keeping it from happening in the first place so everyone can stay safe on the ground.
RELATED: Indoor vs. Outdoor Cats: Should You Let Your Kitty Roam?
If you do decide to let your cat outside to explore, you may want to consider a cat harness and leash or at least keep a close eye on her as she roams, Sears says. And, of course, make sure your cat is wearing ID tags and is microchipped. That way, you can get her back if she scampers up an unfamiliar tree and someone else rescues her.
Although cats may appear as though they would love the outdoors, it can be a dangerous world for them. If you want to keep your fantastic feline safe but also want to make sure she is happy and content inside your home, there are lots of fun, inexpensive things you can do to enrich her indoor world instead of letting her roam the neighborhood. Here are four great ideas to try:
Purchase a great "cat tree": Encourage safe climbing from indoors with a cat tree that offers perches and "bark" for her to scratch.
Make places to hide: Cats are happiest when they can hide and have alone time. Create hiding spaces by offering your cat old boxes (the internet's rule of "if I fits, I sits" applies here) or cover furniture with blankets and pillows (everyone loves a pillow fort!).
Offer lots of enrichment toys: Cats need enrichment and love to play! Give your cat toys that will stimulate her mind and body.
Install a window perch: For the cat that loves to watch the outside world, consider installing a window perch or move furniture (or their cat tree) next to a window so they can watch those pesky chipmunks whenever they please.
