"Smokey" Is STUCK A LONG TIME

Executive Summary

This is my first rescue deploying from Planet Huntsville. It was a Wednesday morning, the day after our move to Huntsville, and I was attending a local conference when I received a call from Britny in Fulton MS. She had just become aware of an unknown kitty stuck in a large oak tree located in backyard with a dog. Apparently, the kitty had already been stuck for 10 days. I said that obligations prevented me from coming out (2.5 hour drive) until Friday. Britny felt confident that she and some helpers might be able to get it down before then. However, Britny called back on Friday evening and said the kitty was still stuck; rescue efforts had failed. I agreed to come out the next day, and arrived around 10:00 am. We walked over to the neighbor's house, who locked up the dog and let us into the backyard (thank you!). The smallish kitty was only about 20 feet up in huge oak tree, and cried when we talked to it. As I fetched my gear from the truck, the kitty become agitated and when up and out on the limb, eventually reaching about 30 feet up and 25 feet out. I set a rope above the kitty, climbed up, and then laboriously worked my way out to the kitty using my climbing hook and lanyards. Britny and neighbors prepared a tarp underneath the kitty in case it fell. At eight feet away from the kitty I was my limit as to how close I could get. I brought out some dry kitty treats for a food bribe. When the aroma wafted over to the kitty, he immediately became interested and started walking towards me. He stopped just out of arm's reach, and began to turn around. Desperate to get him out of the tree, I lunged and grabbed for whatever I could, which happened to be his tail (don't try this at home kids!). Fortunately, the kitty was a lightweight, so I was able to drag him by then tail a bit closer, then grabbed a leg, pulled him even closer, and finally got a hand on his scruff. Into the Kat Bag he went, and the kitty was safe. I lowered him to Britny, who put him in a kitty crate and carried him back to her house. The kitty drank water, and ate two cans of cat food. I scanned for a chip but found nothing. Britny brought him to her Mom who runs a cat rescue, and kitty was promptly named 'Smokey'. Britny, many thanks for your generous donation to the Oktibbeha County Humane Society!