"Taz"/"Kitty" - A Two-Rescue Day

Executive Summary

It was late morning when I received a call from Rheonna, her kitty "Taz" had been stuck overnight in Tupelo, MS - could I help? I agreed to come out immediately as bad weather was predicted for later that day. As I was packing the truck, Kayla called me about 'Kitty', stuck four nights in Fulton MS, 30 miles to the east of Tupelo. I told her that I would do that rescue after 'Taz'. I was met by Devin (Rehonna's adult son), on arrival in Tupelo. He led me across the street to Glenda and Chris's house, where 'Taz' was hanging out on a limb at 50 feet in a hardwood. She was in a precarious position, and I knew immediately that I would need to use the rescue pole as she was too far out of the limb for me to reach her. Devin, Rory (Rheonna's husband), Glenda, and Chris held a tarp under Taz as I climbed up. Taz remained calm during the climb, and did not dodge the rescue pole noose. She was a chunky kitty, and I struggled to put her in the net, but finally managed it. Back on the ground, Rory took the net and Taz back to the house, while Devin helped me pack. A big thank-you to Chris and Glenda for helping out and allowing me to climb the tree.

After packing, I headed to Fulton, where I was met by Kayla (Kitty's gal), Drew (Kitty's guy), Jennifer, and Susan. "Kitty" was in a huge oak tree in the front yard, 30 ft up, on a long horizontal limb, crying for a rescue. A rescue attempt by a local volunteer Fire Department had failed because their ladder was not long enough. Drew had tried climbing spikes, but the limb was too high. Kitty was initially far away from the trunk but came back as I set the rope. She watched anxiously as I approached. I was hanging too far away from the limb for a grab, but Drew pulled on the rope, bringing me within nab-N-bag range. Kitty complained a little during the grab, but was soon back safely on the ground. According to Kayla, Kitty snuggled in Drew's lap for the rest of the day after she drank and ate her fill.

Rory and Rheonna, Drew and Kayla -- many thanks for your generous donations to the Oktibbeha County Humane Society!