In the realm of pet rescues, ranging from storm drains to car engines, a prevalent question emerges: Will fire departments come to the aid of a cat stranded in a tree?
Cats, renowned for their climbing prowess, occasionally find themselves in predicaments, perched atop branches or stuck in tight spots. While rescue videos circulate online, showcasing operations to free feline friends, a closer look reveals that these rescuers are not typically from the fire department but rather specialized tree services.
Fire departments consider tree rescues high-risk endeavors for both firefighters and the stranded cat.
Republic Fire Chief Duane Compton explained, “If we put a ladder up and it’s out on a branch, we don’t know if that branch is going to support the weight of the ladder and our staff member. And what generally happens when the cat sees somebody it doesn’t know. It starts to freak out. So, it’s going to fight us. And if the cat jumps, it’s probably not going to be a good outcome.”
Generally, fire departments adhere to a policy of not rescuing cats from trees. This policy gained attention in an Indianapolis case where a teen was rescued after attempting to retrieve a cat from a tree. The fire department, however, did not rescue the cat, emphasizing their commitment to not endanger firefighters for a feline rescue.
Cat owner Kaylee Murphy, recalling the incident, expressed her disappointment, stating, “They just told us no and packed up and left.”
Springfield Fire Department shares a similar stance, stating they will not perform cat rescues in trees. Instead, they advise individuals facing such situations to place strongly scented food, like tuna, at the base of the tree, or use the cat’s favorite toy to entice them down. Both departments assert that the cat’s owner is best positioned to coax the feline from its lofty perch.
In cases where these methods prove ineffective, alternative solutions such as calling a tree service or animal control are recommended. Murphy, faced with a similar predicament in Indianapolis, enlisted a tree service to rescue her cat.
While it’s acknowledged that policies may vary among fire departments, the prevailing sentiment suggests that, in general, fire departments are cautious about rescuing cats from trees due to safety concerns.
