My neighbor's cat has been up in a tree for three days now. He's howling and won't or can't come down.

Question

He called the humane society. They said to call a tree service but they aren't returning his calls. What should we do?

Uh yeah the fire department won't help.

And we tried putting out cat food & tuna fish.
Forget getting a ladder and climbing up there...you haven't seen how high he is.

We don't see any cat skeletons in trees because the cats die and fall to the ground.

Well after 5 and a half days the cat was rescued.
Many thanx to Holly Tree Service....those guys were great!

Answer 1

Call your local Animal Control officer. I know you said that he called the Humane Society and they didn't help but I think Animal control will. They do here. If they can't/wont they may be able to direct you to someone that will.

You could also try calling the fire department but some departments in some states wont take these calls, as they are not emergencies. It wouldn't hurt to try though.

If these two options wont help then I would consider finding a friend/neighbor who has a ladder tall enough to reach the cat. Your neighbor could just borrow the ladder and get the cat down himself. Whoever goes up into the tree, I would recommend the person wear some heavy-duty gloves as the cat is in a stressful situation and may attempt to defend itself. Even the friendliest cats will react if they feel threatened, as they don't realize this person is trying to help (even its owner).

Out of those three options one has to work. If not, then try a different tree service as the one he is calling now is not helping.

Keep us updated!

Good luck! I hope the kitty is safe soon!
-Brit

EDIT: Ok, I read your additional details. Since you have tried to tempt him with food and he didn't come down, that means he can't come on his own or is at least too afraid too. Since he has been up there for three days, time is running out. He is probably dehydrated and very hungry.

I can't believe the humane society wont help beyond advising a tree service. I would call them again and make myself known that is a serious problem. Sometimes it is necessary to go down there yourself as it is harder for them to "brush you off" in person. I would press the fact that he has been up there for three days and you are concerned for his heath. Since he is in danger and is obviously not coming down on is own I can't imagine they wont do SOMETHING. However, people surprise me all the time.

Since the tree service he is calling isn't responding it is time to start calling any tree service in the area. Call everyone one and some several times until someone takes you seriously and is willing to help.

If it comes to it you may have to bring in the news crews and papers. Sometimes it takes some publicity to get action! It is possible if they cover the story that someone will see it that can help and will offer their services. Sometimes you have to make yourself heard to get anything done. This cat is desperate need and there are caring people out there.

Also try calling the vet's office and ask if they have any ideas of who to call to help get this cat down. They may have had to deal with this before. If they don't have any ideas, try calling the bigger vet offices in other cities. Even try calling ASPCA's in other cities, even other states if you have too to ask if they have any advice. You never know, it might help.

I hope at least one of these things helps. Keep us updated on this poor kitty!

EDIT: Yay! So glad to hear he has been saved! That is wonderful. I hope he gets a trip to the vet right away to be re-hydrated and checked out. At this point he is probably too dehydrated that water at home wouldn't help him. He will probably need IV fluids. They can do this right in the vet’s office. Either way, he needs to be checked out.

I hope he gets all the extra love and affection possible! He definitely deserves some pampering.

Lastly, I hope he doesn't get out again! Thanks for keeping us updated.
-Brit

Answer 2

Call anyone you can think of! Try the fire department. Call the Humane Society again and tell them what happened. Call the SPCA. Call another tree service. Know anyone with a ladder? Can they reach the cat?

I wouldn't be able to sleep hearing that poor cat :(

Answer 3

The fire department stopped getting cats out of the trees over a decade ago in the USA, they're not going to help.

I'd contact a tree trimming service and the humane society and see if the lasso equipment they use on animals can be rented to you.

Answer 4

OH NOOOO!! well this happened to our neighbors cat too. theres always calling someone with a ladder, but if not, coax it down. (im calling it a he) he will be hungry soon, and if he knows how to get down, he will. put out some canned food or dry food, change it regularly. you can try putting out his litterbox or fav toys, something he loves that he would gladly climb down to. but if he cant find a way to get down, try calling 411 and asking there. or you could get a ladder, take a biiig blanket, go up all friendly with food, let him know you, then snatch em up in the blanket and hand him down. i really hope hes okay!! good luck!! oh, n try the fire station. we did that once, go down there in person, to the fire station, say hey my cat is in a tree, (tell them youre serious if they are mean) and hopefully theyll help you. we had to do that for a baby bird that fell out of a huge tree, n they put him right back up there. good luck!!! <333 to kitty

Answer 5

If you were willing to pay the tree service, then maybe if you make the electric company or telephone company an offer they will come out (or watch your neighborhood for their trucks). They have the trucks with the long extention arm in our area for cutting tree branches that are getting too close to the wires.

Answer 6

The cat knows he is getting attention. he more than likely comes down at night when everyone is asleep, then goes back up the tree when he knows folks will see him. Think about it, how many cat skeletons do you see in trees? The cat will come down when he is ready to come down.

Answer 7

Go to a hunter supply store and ask if anyone there hunts and if they have a climbing tree stand. Offer a few bucks to them to get your cat down. It's cheaper than a tree service. My husband has one and had to use it to get our cat down once.

Answer 8

just get a ladder and get him off or just put some food there and he'll come down i mean he got up there by himself he's capable of getting down by himself

and if that doesnt work then call the fire department or police,they'll do something about it

Answer 9

get a long pole with a with something that can grab the cat and bring it down from the tree

Answer 10

Ask the Fire Department to come out.