My first cat "rescue!"

hl_tree

hl_tree

Location
New Fairfield, CT
My first cat \"rescue!\"

I got a call yesterday through the cat rescue website. The guy was over an hour away from where I was at the time, so I told him I would have to come today. This morning I arrive, and the cat has been in the tree for 3 days. This is the 3rd time the cat has got itself stuck in a tree. So today they show me where the cat is, it's about 50' up in an oak tree in the woods. Lots of dead branches, so I was kind of limited for TIPs. I took out my BS and took aim for a solid crotch about 10 - 15 feet away from where the cat was perched. I overshot and the line wound up in another tree. During the process of isolating the limb I wanted to be around, the cat got scared enough and fell / jumped about 20'. It barely caught itself on a branch on a birch tree lower down and then righted itself. The cat got back onto the oak tree, and ran / jumped down another 20 - 30' to the ground. I will say this, that cat DEFINATELY landed on it's feet, and it RAN away fast. The cat was lucky, because it managed to land in a safe spot, rather than on one of the many rocks scattered throughout the area. The owner saw the whole thing, and he was very happy the cat was down.. we went looking for it, but couldn't find it. Hopefully it's alright.
 
Re: My first cat \"rescue!\"

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I like how you put "rescue" in quotes.

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Well I am not exactly sure that I rescued it, I just know that it finally came down. Had it not been so lucky, that cat would have gone SPLAT on one of the nearby rocks. I honestly hope that it's alright. FWIW the cat had a GREAT name, because I asked the owner before I took any action... "Kitty"
 
Re: My first cat \"rescue!\"

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does one get paid for scareing a cat out of a tree?

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Yes but I knock $50 off. The way I look at it, they're paying me to take time off and drive... getting the cat down is just for personal amusement.

I've only had one jumper... from the throwball action. I don't use the BS cuz it freaks them out. I had one go too far out and do the 'hang in there baby' thing for a few seconds and then fall. That was after touring two tree trying to corner him.

If you take your time, talk to the cat and gain it's trust it will usually come to you, or at least it won't run a way.
 
Re: My first cat \"rescue!\"

I basically told the guy to give me $50 for gas. He wound up giving me $100. I was very happy. I called him today to see how Kitty was doing, and if she came back to the house. He said she was in the house and doing well.
 
Re: My first cat \"rescue!\"

I preemptively explain to them that cat's are finicky and you can't completely plan on their actions. I tell them that if the cat jumps, that counts- but my goal 100% of the time is to get the cat in the bag and bring it down under 100% control.

I've had 2 jumpers so far. The first was in a codom leader pine tree. I climbed up the left one, the cat was in the right one. I set my line high, then attempted to descend then swing over to her. She jumped when I was even with her and about to swing.

The second was at the almost-top of a 90' Canary Island pine. I tried for an hour to lure her to me, and she got CLOSER, but not close enough. Eventually she jumped 85' to the ground, slowed down by the bushy needles on the way, hit the ground and literally ran inside.

Owners were super happy in both instances!

Either way- I think you gotta walk away with something. You spent your time and energy, AND you got the cat down...one way or another!

That reminds me- I've got an idea for a fishing net on an extendable pole with a canvas "net" on the end, instead of mesh- then put a drawstring on it that you can close from both ends.

Any ideas for a fishing net that'd be up to the challenge?

love
nick
 
Re: My first cat \"rescue!\"

I had my first jumper this summer. A young cat that didn't trust this large bearded man with helmet and glasses cornering it at the top of a blue spruce. I tried coaxing for twenty minutes before it went out a branch and lost it. Luckily I had positioned the homeowners (it was not actually their cat) with a sheet held between them. I only saw the cat disappear through the branches as my heart stopped and I called a warning for the catchers. One second and fifty feet later I heard the sheet go "poof" and the cat ran back home. After that I decided to give any future parties a good disclaimer before I climb and I bought a can of tuna for my toolbox.
 
Re: My first cat \"rescue!\"

hey nick they already make one for venomous snakes.. (don't ask) it's like a snare pole with a back attached. Try midwest tongs in google.
 
Re: My first cat \"rescue!\"

Had two this summer where I never touched the cat. One got spooked by the throwbag and ran to a neighboring tree with lower branches. At about 15' we were able to reach him with a long snag on the ground and provide a "bridge."

Another I followed to the top of a smaller (70') fir, only to be eluded as I was getting my laundry bag ready. Figured I'd chase him "down," then heard a big crash. People below said he jumped/fell from 40' with legs spread out, hit the groundcover, then dashed to the house. Only had a cut on his lip.

Last one had a bit of drama, and was a night rescue. A 10-week-old kitten was up a fir for several hours. Told the owner that's not very long, but he wanted to go ahead anyway. The tree didn't seem to have any good branches to throw to, and most were very "bushy," so it was tuff to see, even with a big worklite shining up. Soon realized my nighttime throwing skills really need work, but finally got a branch.

As I was putting on my belt, a huge white owl flew into the tree. The cat started screaming bloody murder. I could see the owl sitting on a branch, so I started launching my throwbag at him, and others were throwing rocks or anything they could find. The cat was screaming all the while. The owl flew to new positions 2-3 times, which was spectacular with the up-lit light. At one point it flew into the tree with the cat, and we all heard the kitty cries get weaker and weaker, then stop completely.

For several minutes we all just stared at each other. Finally, the silence was broken by a faint "meow," and I scrambled up to get the kitty.
 
Re: My first cat \"rescue!\"

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As I was putting on my belt, a huge white owl flew into the tree. The cat started screaming bloody murder. [...]

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What a trip! High drama for sure.
 
Re: My first cat \"rescue!\"

My first and only cat rescue was a dead cat. The home owner wes tired of looking out there window and seeing it slumped in a croch. It had been there for several weeks. Didnt have a problem with that cat jumping. It wes actually stuck in a tight croch and hard to remove.
 
Re: My first cat \"rescue!\"

I helped out a little old cat this morning. Been up there 3 nights, 4 days. Was happy to see me. Let me pet it, then I grabbed it behind the neck, placed it in my bag then onto my saddle, and away we went.
 

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