Cat-Stuck-In-Tree Rescue Help (1.5-hour driving radius HSV,AL)
412 Kitty Rescues + 1 Coon Dog + 1 drone since June 2013. Last Rescue: APRIL 2025.
As of September 28th/2021, my wife and I have moved from Starkville MS to Huntsville AL to be closer to grandchildren. I will do rescues within a 1.5 hour driving radius of Huntsville for anybody needing help for a cat that is stuck in a tree. For Nashville and Birmingham, please try local resources as there are many tree services available. If you are outside of this driving radius, and the kitty has been stuck for more than five days, contact me and I will see what I can do. For Mississippi Coast rescues, please see the contact info for Randall Kolb/Baton Rogue in my list of rescuers below.
I am a recreational tree climber with appropriate gear and am willing to do whatever I can to help. In lieu of a fee, I encourage direct donations (no suggested amount) to the Oktibbeha County Humane Society (ochsms.org), Greater HSV Humane Society (ghhs.org) -- or any other animal rescue organization of your choice. However, a donation is optional, saving a kitty should not be a financial burden. There is no guarantee that I will be successful in a rescue attempt, but I will do what I can.
About the Rescues
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MSCatTreeRescue
Wanted: More Cat-Stuck-Tree Rescuers
WAFF48 Interview - Me and Meow Max (Oct 2024) - Huntsville
Animal Planet "Daily Bites" News Video on my rescues
Mississippi State University Reflector News Article
"Refresh n Friends" Video about a Jan2018 Rescue
Contact Me
Bob Reese 1.662.418.0479 (cell phone, feel free to call or text)
Boring Stuff
I will ask you to sign this release form before a rescue (I will have copies with me): RELEASE FORM
Liability waiver that I will sign and give to you releasing you from any liability to me for injuries incurred during a rescue: WAIVER
Why Rescue Cats from Trees?
Sometimes I get asked this question, and the YouTube video to the right, made by Patrick Brandt (fellow cat rescuer and friend), answers this question in the best possible manner.
When should a cat be rescued?
You should give a cat at least 24 hours to come down on its own unless it is injured or is wedged into limbs and unable to move. This waiting period is generally harder on you than it is the kitty! After 24 hours, it becomes less likely that the cat will be able to make it down without assistance. People that dismiss cat rescues with a "Have you ever seen a cat skeleton in a tree?" are simply ignorant -- the reason that you do not see cat skeletons in trees is because the cat will eventually weaken and fall out of the tree, and then either crawl off and die or survive with likely permanent health damage. The picture of the kitty hanging from the limb is 'Cake' who was rescued by Randall Kolb/ Baton Rouge LA (catrescueguy.com) Does 'Cake' look like he can get down by himself? He is using all of his energy just to keep from falling!
A cat can easily survive 3 to 4 days in a tree with no long term health effects, and some have been rescued after 7-10 days. So, after 24 hours, please seek help from some source to rescue your cat -- the kitty is depending on you!
If you are looking for help from some other source, then please contact a local professional tree service.
Links to Cat/Animal Rescue Services
How to rescue cats from trees (WRITTEN FOR THE TREE CLIMBER) - this is a great guide on how to rescue cats from trees if you a tree climber.
How to rescue cats from trees (IF YOU ARE NOT A TREE CLIMBER) - look at this page for tips on do-it-yourself rescue methods.
Athens AL
Max Grisham - (1 256 777 3583)
Birmingham AL
Danato Green "Tree Man" - (1 205 480 9627) (if the phone number does not work, try searching for 'Nado Green' on Facebook)
Huntsville AL
Chris Brown Tree Service - (1 256 944 1983)
Apex Tree Service - (1 256 970 9071)
Lacey's Spring AL (just south of Huntsville)
Timberwolf Tree Care - (1 256 479 0098) - has done cat rescue
Tupelo MS Area
Bill Russell - Stump & Tree Removal, has bucket truck - 1 662 842 1998
Jackson MS Area
Ray Jackson, Canton MS 1-601-519-3986 - Has done cat rescue
Bobby Thornton, Thornton Firewood & Tree Service, 1-601-767-7252 - has done cat rescue.
Andrew Butler, Tree Care Pros of MS, 1-601-954-8677 - has done cat rescue
Jonathan Sanch/ Sanch Enterprises LLC/tree service, lawn care, landscaping. (1 hour driving radius around Jackson) 1-601-502-3505 - cell phone, call or text. Has done cat rescue.
Big John's Tree Service (1 601 941 7773) which has a 50-mile service area about Jackson, has done cat rescue.
Arbor Tree Service (1 601 720 1925) (Jackson and surrounding areas) does cat rescue.
Advance Tree Care (Jackson and Surrounding areas), on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/advancetreecarellc) 1-601-706-4067. Has done cat rescue.
Starkville, MS
Ryan Handran, 1 303 218 0355 - has done cat rescue, has tree climbing gear; Services provided within approximately a 2-hour radius of Starkville.
Meridian MS
J-Woods Tree Service, 1 601 490 0640 has done cat rescue
Horn Lake, South Memphis
Aaron Andrews 1 901 275 7519, tree worker, 4+ years climbing experience, excellent climber, has rescued 100+ kitties, very responsive.
Brookhaven MS
William Reed 1 601 748 9205, owner of Reed Tree Service LLC, excellent climber who does kitty rescue, very responsive.
Oxford MS Area
Dewees Tree Service, Oxford MS -- has done cat rescue. 1 662 380 0151 - Brad Dewees.
9 Lives Cat Rescue (Oxford and surrounding areas), on Facebook
Hattiesburg
Joshua Long (1 615 987 4291) - TEXT MESSAGE MUCH PREFERRED OVER VOICE CALL
Wilborn Tree Services (1 601 549 0327)
Other
catrescueguy.com (Randall Kolb, Baton Rouge, LA)
http://www.rescuemycat.org/ Patrick Brandt, NC
https://www.facebook.com/normer Normer Adams, Atlanta area
The photo below shows my sister (Devonne Reese LaSavia) and myself in a photo with Dak Prescott (MSU QB great/Dallas Cowboy QB) at the Clarion Ledger 2017 sports awards in Jackson. I was one of five winners of the "Give Back Like Dak" contest where you submitted a 1 minute video on your community service, in my case, cat stuck tree rescue. Dak gave an awesome talk, was a fun night. Many great high school athletes were recognized at the awards, and they all got their photo with Dak. The video that I submitted is below the photo.
