'Cat in a tree'

joe (152.163.36.84) -

My cat is stuck up in a 150ft tree what should i do?

Comment #1 Bill (152.163.39.200) -

Wait. Cats don't need the fire department to get them out of a tree. Go inside forget about your cat. Before you know it will be in your lap again.

Comment #2 KateyBate (66.227.233.47) -

Wow! Where do you live that you have a 150 foot tree? Our cat gets up as high as ten feet or so at times and always gets back down.

Comment #3 endora (24.45.126.104) -

LOl. Yeah seriously if he got up their he knows how to get down. I never understood that whole thing on why people would freak out about the cat in a tree. I had one cat that used to climb the roof and meow for hours up on it.

Comment #4 Cat Magnet from Catlandia -

The people are afraid of being in a tree, so they think the cats are too.

Comment #5 catlike from home -

Gawd, you people really don't know A THING about cats, do you? You certainly don't know anything about rescuing them. So why do you insist on posting a reply to this serious message???

For your information, as a very experienced animal rescue worker, I can tell you in no uncertain terms that NOT EVERY CAT WHO CLIMBS A TREE KNOWS HOW OR IS ABLE TO GET DOWN AGAIN!!! In particular, kittens usually don't have the experience or courage to climb down and will often wait until they're too weak to hold on any longer (& therefore fall out of the tree) rather than attempting to make the descent themselves. Even adults can get themselves stuck in positions & at heights that they don't feel comfortable descending from. Add to that the fact that animals (any animal, including humans) get dehydrated, starving, & stressed VERY quickly - and in doing so, lose both their wits & their strength. So, without decision-making skills or physical prowess, and while scared out of your mind, how keen would YOU be to climb down from a 15ft or 150ft tree?

Listen, since I sincerely hope that Joe has gotten his cat out of the tree by now (6wks later), I'm going to say this for anyone who's ended up here looking for help: 1) Find yourself a can of wet food (or, better still, some freshly cooked bacon) and try to lure the cat down, 2) Call the humane society, fire department, wildlife/pest removal companies, & your local tree-pruners and find out who's willing to help you get the cat out of the tree, 3) If the tree isn't too big, use the longest ladder you can find to get closer to the cat (& to offer it food up close) while making sure not to scare it further up the tree, 4) Call local no-kill rescue organizations & see if they can send a humane-trapper to help catch the cat somehow, 5) Keep looking for ideas & suggestions online, 6) Call the local media & see if they'll pressure the fire department etc to rescue the cat, in exchange for a great local-color story & a happy ending, 7) NEVER assume that the cat will come down itself.. and, if you can avoid alarming it, check on it every couple hours to see if it's still stuck (start worrying around hour number five), 8) NEVER GIVE UP!

Good luck.

Comment #6 lily from deep south -

I hope by now the cat is out of the tree. Most people don't realize that cats sometimes get nervous once they are up so high. Especially the kittens. Sometimes they will manage to come down on their own. The one I did have would get stuck every other month but after an hour of yelling it would usually come back down.

Comment #7 Kimmy from inside my igloo...brrrr -

Like my father use to tell me. "Don't worry it will come down, have you ever seen a cat skeleton in a tree?"

Comment #8 Whiskers from Guest Room Bed -

For all you smart asses who think the cat will come down, do you actually own cats? I own four. They all have very different personalities. One is very curious so she wants to see what's up high, but she's TERRIFIED of heights. Oh boy, the scratches I got getting her down off a closet shelf. I can't imagine if I had to get her out of a tree.

Whiskers is skittish. Whiskers might run up something but she's too afraid of everything to possibly get herself back down. What's worse about her is she'd probably be so scared of any rescue efforts that she might jump away and get hurt.

Turtle and Tori are Torties and fearless. LOL!

The best way to avoid a cat up a tree is to keep your cats inside.

Comment #9 snowy from Wisconsin -

There is no need to attack the posters who say that the cat will come down. Cats are natural preditors and they WILL get hungry eventually, and will figure out a way to get down. They have claws and they have them for a reason.

Yes I do agree about cat owners keeping their cats indoors.

Comment #10 snowy from Wisconsin -

Oh I also wanted to add that I do have cats and have had cats all my life. Yes- they do have different personalities. I use to let my cats outside when I lived out in the county. (I had them spade and neutured)- now I live in the city and don't want the risk of having them get hurt so I keep them inside.

Comment #11 Linda (168.212.252.62) -

I just went through a very sad experience with my cat which was stuck in a tree. He got out and ended up at the top of a broken off fir tree with few branches. I read everything I could. I was told to wait a few days and he might come down. I tried to persuade him with food - no luck. I finally found a tree trimmer who rescues cats and hired him to come to our rescue. He tried. He climbed the tree (cat was about 60 feet up) and attempted for about half an hour to get ahold of the cat to rescue him. Our cat wanted no part of it and fought back with swipes of the claws and growling. The cat eventually went out farther on a branch and fell to the ground. He was severely injured and I had to have him put down at the vet. I do not think he would have ever come down on his own. The tree trimmer told me he HAS actually found skeletons in trees so that is a myth.

Comment #12 Kimmy from inside my igloo...brrrr -

I'm so sorry to hear about your bad experience. I guess anything can happen. I just have never had my cat get stuck up in a tree.

Comment #13 James Holben (68.112.50.171) -

I read this blog looking for tips. My wife and I have several dogs and cats. One in particular, an eight month old black and white spayed female by the name of Cricket. She has been an inside cat since my wife rescued her from a tree as a kitten. LUCKILY it was a small sapling and my wife only suffered a small bite from Cricket, who was scared out her wits at the time. (Obviously some heartless individual had dropped her off in the night and the poor thing took refuge in the sapling. Last night Cricket's curiosity got the best of her and she darted out the backdoor and would not come back inside. This morning we awoke to her meows and found her about 20 ft up a hickory tree in our front yard. After much coaxing, we realized she was too scared to come down. (the tone of her calls and uncontrollable shaking was our first clue) I went and got my 10 ft extension ladder and leaned it against the tree. Climbing to the top and grasping branches, I got to within a few feet of the cat. Repeated coaxing was to no avail. She wouldn't budge. After surveying the path I would need to take, I went to the garage and retrieved a saw and returned to the tree. It was necessary to prune a few branches to clear my way, climb off the ladder and onto the tree. Within a few minutes I reached the cat and was able to allow her to smell my hand. I talked to her and coaxed her a bit and she managed to get close enough for me to grasp the loose skin at the base of her neck and I basically dragged her to me. I held her until those razor sharp claws retracted a little bit and proceeded to make my way carefully back down the ladder. Happy ending. NOTE OF CAUTION. I would not recommend just anyone attempt this. I have years of experience in construction climbing ladders and scaffolding. Not to mention the trees as a young boy raised in the country. The main thing to remember is safety. For both you and the animal. Strangers attempting the rescue should wear tight-fitting leather gloves. Know that fear will overrule any feelings of love the animal may have and it will cling to whatever it can to prevent itself from falling. So bad if that happens to be your arm, or face, or anything else it can sink it's claws into. Once you grasp the animal, stay still for a bit, hold it, and allow it to calm before you begin your descent. P.S. I told Cricket she owes me big=time and better stop digging in my fern.

Comment #14 Kt (76.22.92.93) -

My cat is stuck up in a tree

he is about 40-50 feet up

he has been there for aout 2 and a half days

and it is cold with snow flurries

i have tried the food

i have tried opening tuna

the fire deparment is no use

and the tree places arent answering

or calling me back!

i cant believe he is up there

it is the scarriet thing ever

we have been yelling at him

and trying to coax him

but nothing seems to work

but i think i will cook some beacon

and maybe that will work!

thanks for all the help this has been.

Comment #15 ANNA (71.127.95.192) -

HELP! my kitten is stuck in a pine tree. we tried the pole trick and a ladder will not stay with the branches. My cat is scared and he is about 50 ft up! please he is small enough to get eaten by an owl or racoon! please

Comment #16 Marla (4.246.57.123) -

Ok, my kitten of almost one year, is stuck in my neighbor's fenced in yard. The bad thing about this is that there is a dog involved in this story. I am very worried about this small black and white kitty. I am waiting for my neighbors to get home so that they can let me near the tree and keep the dog away. Any insight is appreciated. She has been up there for a little more than 2 hours.

Comment #17 racquel from ok -

I understand...

Ive had several raccoons get up a tree and not be able to get back down.. luckily it was not a 150 foot tree..

im not sure how you would get it down.

Comment #18 dawn (24.30.242.35) -

My cat was stuck in a tree tonight about 20-30 ft. up. My husband and I attached a rope to a large mesh laundry basket and put food in the bottom. Then I climbed a little ways up the tree until I could swing the rope over a branch near my cat. (A rock tied to the end of the rope makes it easier to swing, just watch out for the cat.) My husband caught the end of the rope and raised the basket up to the cat. She jumped in and started eating as he lowered her down.

This worked well for us, I hope it helps someone else. If your not careful, it may just scare the cat further up, but it might be worth a try if nothing else works.

Comment #19 tracy (66.189.12.252) -

my neighbors found a cat crying 30 feet in there tree, have tried the rope and basket , leaving food at the bottom of tree its been a week , no one wants to help we've tried everything any suggestions? the cat looks ill its been 85 and humid can it die of starvation?

Comment #20 Kelly (4.242.171.32) -

catlike from home! i love you post my kitten is turing a year old but is a runt and looks like 7 month old. She has been stuck in a tree for more then 5 hours try 1 1/2 days and 1 night! she is taller then 40ft since we live in a forest. We will try youtr tips but we tried food she is 2 scared to come down and we asked around town and no1 will help.Her b-day is coming up friday and we bought her sme toys to play with and i don't want her to miss out!

Comment #21 Kathy from Millbury MA -

OK, this is SERIOUS. THERE ARE NO CAT SKELETONS IN TREES, because they DIE and FALL OUT DEAD!!! We had a Cat (unknown owner) in our Tree from 7/20/07 (at least that's when we noticed SHE was there). I called EVERYONE I could - My Town (Town Selectmen, Police, Fire, etc.), ASPCA, MSPCA, Animal Rescue League, Humane Society, Vets, Tree People, ETC., ETC. starting on the following Mon., 7/23/07 & every day after... NO ONE COULD/WOULD HELP and Most said SHE'LL come down. The Town Animal Control Officer said the same (when her hunger overcomes her FEAR, she'll come down) - this was on the 6th OR 7th day in 85/90 Degrees & HUMID. I cannot tell you guys how extremely frustrating and distressing this was to me, my family, my neighbors... THERE IS NOTHING MORE HORRIBLE THAN STANDING BY & Watching AN ANIMAL DIE THIS WAY - Starving, Dehydrating, & CRYING FOR 9 DAYS. We picked her little RIGGED BODY off the ground Sat. at 8 AM (7/28/07) and buried her with a nice stone in my yard (I also planted flowers). After this HORRIBLE TRAUMATIC event, I felt relieved that we could finally put a period, but I must tell you - I am still so upset & can't get over this happening. IT WAS JUST GROSS & UNECESSARY - please do not DONATE TO any of these GROUPS (they have TONS of $) - FIND OUT WHAT IS USED FOR.....because this INCIDENT was not on their AGENDA!

Comment #22 janet (66.31.243.74) -

The message from Kathy in Millbury broke my heart. I came across this website in search of a way to rescue my cat 30 ft up in a tree. She has been up there for over 4 days and lost for 2 weeks prior to this. She had attemted to get down as I coached her but had almost a fall since her claws are very thin(she is a 5 lb cat). This scared her and she didn't make any further attempts. She cried for the 4 days through 97 deg temp, 59 deg temp and pouring rain. Anomal resue, police and fire dept offered no help.

I was so upset as I could easily see the same fate as Kathy's cat. What a horrible ordeal for an owner and family to go through, not to mention the cat.

My daughter came home last night at 7 and asked if she had come down. I said no. She said she had had it and said she was going after it. She climbed the tree (scarily) and made it to the area where the cat was. With some coaxing with "Fancy Feast", her favorite treat, she timidly began to eat and knew that rescue was there. She is not one to be held, however let my daughter pick her up. My daughter put her in a pillow case and relayed the cat to a neighbor who scaled the tree to meet her. The cat was rescued. She was so happy to be home, you could see the joy as she purred and butted her head against me.

What an ordeal for 4 days, I can't imagine getting to the point where the cat dies in the tree. So for all the "know it alls" regarding cats in the tree, I would like to see them up 30 ft. with limited abilities to get down.

Comment #23 jane (207.69.140.25) -

My little cat (about 2 years old) loved to climb trees and seemed particularly good at it. However, yesterday she fell suddenly from the height of about 2 stories while I was watching. She landed on her feet but had blood gushing from her nose. She's now in a cat ICU unit awaiting surgery on her palate. The vets call the injury "high rise syndrome, " as it usually happens to cats who fall out of poorly screened windows. This has been expensive!!! I am wondering if anyone else has had experience nursing a cat with this injury back to health?

Comment #24 Kathy from Millbury MA -

I am HAPPY, Janet (& your family), for your cat!! And, Jane, hoping your little baby gets well and lives a good life... I cannot believe I have another SAD story that happened about 2 weeks ago. I'm not sure about the rest of the U.S., but we have (in MA) a lot of Coyotes (and an abundance of ALL Wildlife like never before - too little space left due to houses everywhere, ban on certain trapping methods, etc., etc.). We have seen almost everything in our backyard (2 1/2 acres). We found a Cat bitten in half right beyond my tomato plants in a clearing in the middle of the afternoon!!). Obviously, I must have scared him away (without knowing it) - since the carcas was not yet eaten. As we are knowledgeable in Wildlife, we know it was a Coyote and not their fault - this is NATURE. There are so many incidents now - they are trapped in alleys in the city and shot, bears in trees in the city shot by police because no one knows what to do, etc., etc. I NOW CRINGE seeing Cats in my yard enjoying themselves, doing what they do - I can longer advocate them running FREE. I no longer feel "guilty" about de-clawing/fixing my Cats and keeping indoors. They are happy, healthy, & spoiled. At present, I have had enough TRAUMA for a while... Kathy

Comment #25 cassy (216.220.216.154) -

our cat is stuck up a tree with no branches for about 15 feet or higher then the branches start to come out. the ladder is just tall enough to reach the lowest branch but overnight the cat got higher.

help.

Comment #26 emily (172.167.82.28) -

please help me my kitten is stuck in a huge tree...thanks alot

Comment #27 Nathan (24.222.200.97) -

My tabby cat got stuck in a 40 ft. tree. I bribed him with treats and tried to climb up but its too high for me what do i do?

Comment #28 Raegan (205.188.116.206) -

To all of you who have tried to save animals stuck in trees and been unsuccessful my thoughts and special prayers are with you.I rescue abandonded kittens and take in too many homeless kitties.i think God put me here to help them. Today a young kitten i have nursed since i found him abandonded when he was only several weeks old climed a tree about 40 feet in the air and it sent me into a quick panic. He cried and stayed still while i began to telephone agencies for advice and help. I spoke with a nice Fireman here in Mobile Alabama , Who said he would ask his captain if they could send a truck to attempt to rescue Little Mitten from the tree. Quickly the Fireman Jason from the Mobile Fire Department called me back and told me that Captain May from Engine 22 in Mobile Alabama said the easiest thing he could" tell her we do not rescue cats from trees" He runs the engine and could have dispatched the truck to help Litlle Mitten i was told if he wanted to. I realize the main job of the fire dept is to fight fires and be the first responders at accidents. I guess i still have the story book page etched in my mind from childhood of the fireman in his uniform saving the cat from a tree and lowering it to safety. I honestly think if they have the manpower to still do this for citizens in the community and innocent animals they should . I said a small prayer and within several hours Little Mitten decided he would make an attempt to get down he struggled slipped a few times on the way down and lost grip a fell the last 8 feet or so to soft leaves and grass he was lucky today. I wish today that Captain May at engine co 22 would have made a different choice, i lost respect for them today.

Comment #29 Fred Keebler from the Pig Pen -

Where would your thoughts be if the fire department came, raised their ladder up and then recieved an emergency call for a fire or accident and because of the delay there was significant property damage or loss of life that could have been avoided if they had remained on alert at the fire dept?

Comment #30 Dan Kraus from Seattle -

I'm a professional tree climber and started a cat in a tree rescue service in Seattle about nine years ago. I did not know how many rescues I would get but I knew poeple in this situation had no one to turn to for help. So far I've done over 550 cat rescues. I've just started a web site with a directory of professional climbers willing to help people get there cats down. I'm sorry if your city is not covered yet, I get more climbers every day. If your city is not covered try calling a tree service in your area for help.

good luck

Dan Kraus

Comment #31 Allie (24.164.165.130) -

My cat was stuck in a tree 30 ft.up this weekend. I think she was up there for at least a day before we found her. The neighbor's dog must have scared her. Luckly the fire departement came and resuced her the morning we found her. We tried to get her to come down by calling her, and she tried, but she almost fell out, the tree had almost no branches to help her climb down. When me and my dad thought she was going to fall, we got a blanket so we could hold it out to try and cath her if it came down to that. A cat up a tree sounds so cliché, but when it happens to your cat, it's very scary. One of the firemen had rescued cats before, and said that they will freak out and cut you up pretty badly. His cuts ended up infected and he had to go to the hospital, so now they have to wear full gear to rescue cats. Thank god they helped because she would still be up there if they didn't.

Comment #32 derek mintz (205.188.116.206) -

ive got 2 yes 2 cats in a tree. our oldest cat got stuck two days ago and as we were trying to coax it down our kitten saw him up there and ran up to join him. our hearts are breaking as we speak. we have three children 6 and under who just want nugget and kitty back. any advice would be appreciated

Comment #33 Kayla (199.126.129.223) -

If you want to get your cat out of the tree just show it how much you care and bla bla bla bla call the fire department Duh

Comment #34 Squee from California -

I have to say PLEASE dont leave your cat up the tree!!

My sister lost her cat and some neighbors found it up a HUGE tree much like yours! it nearly starved to death and could not get its own way down.

She had to call a special service, i believe it was tree trimmers but for you I would say call the Fire department, hopefully they can at least point you in the right direction.

good luck

Comment #35 Dan Kraus from Seattle -

Go to catinatreerescue dot com and see if there is a climber in your area

Comment #36 brat02026 from MA - Sun Mar 23 14:23:18 2008

Ok, having done many of these rescues before..., in the hundreds. I have found dead cats in trees. Much to many dismay. I have also found that they will survive for quite a long time depending on the situation, temperature and weather. I've also had then stuck, literally, in the grooves of a tree. What I can say based on my experience is that every cat is different (like people) but there are only three outcomes: the cat stays, the runs or jumps or the cat fights you when you get it. Every tree is different. Every access to the tree is different. I've even done them at night but only because my system was set up in the daylight. I've not had one longer than three days from the time I've worked on it. I'm not an expert but I have a multitude of experience. It is true that some will come down after 24-48 hours. There are many who don't know how or just simply can't. Anyone telling you absolutes is no help what-so-ever and just hasn't seen enough of these cases to know. I have a 150 ft. two-line harness system (allows for 70' of climbing) that I use that is set up with a simply throw line with a weighted bag at the end. I can either throw it or use a special 6 ft sling shot that was purchased. Once set up. I can re-use the system to get higher or for other purposes..., such as, a thin tree...I can cinch two or three thin trees together and use the strength of the three versus the one. Many different scenarios. I've not experienced everything but I've been up in 100' trees in snow storms or 50' trees in downpours...which I don't usually want to do. Thunderstorms and very strong winds are a no-no. Fortunately, this is not ALL I do...but this is just one facet of many...I hope this helps.

Comment #37 brat02026 from MA - Sun Mar 23 14:29:08 2008

I did forget to mention that in some cases, Animal Control, Police or Fire departments get these calls. Depending on your area, many will not be able to service your call. Liability is one. Cat bites and scratches are some of the worst to get. Obviously, the question of vaccination (rabies/distemper) is evident. Some Animal Control Officers are not allowed by the town to even climb ladders. This varies town by town or city by city. I think it has been said that if you are stuck in this situation it's best to call a tree company and hopefully the can fulfill this obligation. Some companies in my state will do it but they'll charge 200-300 dollars to check it out..., you're still charged if they can't do it...it's an assessment fee. Make sure you ask questions as to what they have for equipment and/or climbers.

Comment #38 ryderpup from plymouth mass - Tue Apr 1 14:29:30 2008

My cat has been up at the top of a 40' tree for the past two days and nites now. The weather has been cold, windy and rainy and hes's swaying up there with not too much to hold on to. He is meowing 2x every 5 seconds and just doesn't have the desire to come down. This is the 3rd time in the past week (yeah I know)and this time we just can't reach him. Called the Fire dept and the Rescue and the Animal Control. The best they offer is "leave him alone and he'll evenually come down". Will he?

A bummed out owner

Comment #39 Bill (67.107.116.164) - Tue Apr 1 15:10:58 2008

ryderpup from plymouth mass - Call the Animal Rescue League of Boston @ 617 426-9170. We can't really come out this late today because we won't have enough daylight, but we can come out tomorrow...

• Animal Rescue League of Boston

Comment #40 Denise (64.12.116.206) - Thu Apr 3 21:30:24 2008

I'm so glad I found this website. We have a kitten that's been missing since Sunday. We live in the country on a river bluff and finally found him over 30ft stuck in a tree on the bluff. There's no way to get a ladder, and because of where were live other options are not available.

We are currently trying the basket idea. We used a 70ft dog training lead to throw over the highest area we know the kitten can get to. We were then able to pull a basket up to that point - with an open can of tuna fish in it. Hopefully this will entice him enough if he's able. It's been through a 10" snowstorm and 20 degree weather. It's nighttime now - but hopefully he'll climb in the basket where there's rags to help keep him warm as well.

Keep your fingers crossed and Thanks to the person who wrote about the basket idea. (I've also have owls and bald eagles to worry about getting him)

Comment #41 Denise (205.188.116.206) - Fri Apr 4 19:47:56 2008

I just wanted to tell everyone that this evening we were finally able to rescue the kitten. We attached a fishing net to a limb cutter we had and when we were able to coax him far enough down - we could net him - mostly so he wouldn't run back up the tree. Between the net and the kitten we got him safely down - but he was so startled when he it the ground he ran up another tree. (I think I could put a sailor to shame with the phrases that came out of my mouth then!) Though this tree was taller and he went up higher - it only had a 5 inch diameter trunk. Once he came back down to a reasonable height - I went and sat on a log below the tree with a can of open tuna fish and our other cat. That did the trick - his hunger won out. He came down and let me walk up to him with the tuna. Now that he's inside - it's like he never went on his adventure except he won't leave my side.

This cat has used up at least 2 of it's 9 lives. We inherited him from our farmer neighbor who found him about 6 weeks old pretty much dead from being frozen. He brought him to me and we were able to nuture him back to life. Unfortunately there must have been some damage to his voicebox because he has the most absolute worst meow ever. Anyway - he's safe and no harm seems to have come to him.

In addition to trying the fishing net and poles - my next idea was to make a cat ladder. I would of made it with the slats flat so could stand on them. I was just going to use some 2x1 scrap wood we had. I think that would of worked too.

Good luck to whomever find themselves like me looking for a way to rescue their cat. I was grateful for the basket idea...we just couldn't get it positioned for him. And he was just to scared.

Comment #42 diane (202.162.18.252) - Sun Apr 13 21:35:33 2008

I have a fat cat who loves to climb up my roof. But the annoying thing is he knows how to climb but don't know how to climb down! i think i have similar problems like you guys have but how do i avoid/train him not to climb up? i've even left him up there one whole day but he kept meowing non stop. What should i do? Oh yea he actually went to my neighbour's roof and destroyed the tilings and beams due to his weight and i can't be apologizing to them all the time.

Comment #43 Anita in Big Bear, CA (207.200.116.137) - Tue Apr 15 22:04:11 2008

Our cat got stuck 50-60 ft. high in a pine tree on Friday, April 4. We didn't discover him there until after dark, so we had to just let him spend the night there. I was worried that something would happen to him overnight (he usually only goes outside during daylight hours), but there he was, still meowing pathetically in the tree the next morning.

We were told by several friends to just wait, that cats who can climb up that high will figure out on their own how to get down. We tried coaxing him down a few times, but he was obviously very scared and kept climbing higher.

By Sunday morning, I was getting a bit frantic, so I went online to see what I could learn. I found this website and read some of the messages posted here. I began to realize that maybe this cat couldn't get himself down. The basket trick sounded promising, so my husband and I decided to try it. My husband got the idea to use his fishing pole with a weight tied to the end of the fishing line (and no hook, thank you very much!) to reach the higher branches that we had no other way to reach. I think the weight he used was a small piece from his socket wrench set.

The trick eventually worked (it took a couple of tries to reach an appropriate branch); the line went all the way up to a tall branch and then down to the ground on the other side of the tree. We then tied the rope to the fishing line and pulled it up and over the branch of the tree. Then we tied the end of the rope to a bucket and, having placed an opened can of cat food inside the bucket, used the rope to pull the bucket to a branch high up in the tree.

Well, gotta tell you, if you try this trick, don't use a bucket or any other container with a swinging handle. Once the cat got up the nerve to try climbing into the bucket, the bucket went "horizontal" on him and now he was too afraid to climb in the rest of the way. He was, however, able to get in far enough to eat some of the food, which he did, and then climbed backed to a higher branch and start meowing pathetically again.

So we decided to try his cat cage. It's one of those plastic ones with a metal door. We pulled the door off so it wouldn't close at the wrong time, tied the rope through some of the holes in the sides, put some fresh food in it and added some catnip, and tried again. This time it worked! As soon as we discovered he was in the cage and clear of the tree branch, we gently lowered him to the ground. We immediately replaced the door to the cage and latched it shut. No way were we going to risk having him jump out of the cage and run off into the forest again!

By the time we finally got him out of the tree, it was Tuesday (remember he had been there since Friday). If this ever happens again, and hopefully it won't, our cat is on restriction!, we won't waste so much time doing the wrong thing. Our mistakes: waiting so long to try to rescue him, using the bucket with the swinging handle, and we made the mistake of placing the container several branches below where he was, we were hoping he'd climb down to where it was; were we ever wrong!

To those who also have a cat stuck in a tree, I say hang in there and do what you have to do to rescue it. I know this is a long story, but I hope it helps someone else.

Comment #44 brat02026 from MA - Wed Apr 16 09:20:21 2008

Anita in Big Bear, CA:

I am from MA and do these types of rescues quite frequently, I am very glad to hear about your rescue. That's awesome. I wish they were all that easy. Not all cats can climb up can climb down. While some instances, I feel that if the cat has the courage in trying to climb, I consider letting the cat try. While most are not that comfortable, that's where I come in. Depending on your weather waiting is not really an option either. Here in New England, I am seriously wondering if it will actually snow in August. Sometimes the weather changes are that crazy. I'm very glad that you were able to get your cat.

Comment #45 moonchik from Oklahoma - Thu May 8 16:12:04 2008

i don't know if i feel better or worse reading all these posts...

my 2 year old male cat, Joey Tribiani (yes, from Friends ~ all great looks and muscular body, but no brains)...has been stuck in a tree since Sunday, May 4th around 4pm

it's day 4 now - Joey has been through 3 massive thunderstorm fronts and the highest temp has been 82

i've tried coaxing, climbed the ladder (only to have him come down just a bit and then go right back HIGHER up), i've placed food, cried, begged and prayed...

he's about 30 feet up or more and completely terrified

i would like to try the basket w/ food, but the tree has new growth that's pretty thick at the trunk, thus making it impossible to do the basket pulley system...

i live in a rural area, our volunteer fire department doesn't even have a ladder or cherry picker... i'm going to call some tree service folks now, but the particular tree is in a not-so-easy to get to area in my neighbors yard, so my options are limited

any suggestions are much appreciated!

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