"Soba" is Terrified
(late March 2021)
Executive Summary
When I arrived home from the Florence rescue, I received a call from Erin in Oxford. Her inside-only kitty, Soba, had escaped during a transfer from car to house after a vet visit, and had been stuck for two nights, help! I arrived the next afternoon and was met by Keeley, Erin's sister (Erin was getting her COVID vaccination). Keeley led me to a wooded area behind the house. Soba was about 30 feet up a small tree, that was adjacent to a gigantic pine tree. Initially I tried to put a rope in the Soba's small tree, but this had a high chance of scaring Soba, so I changed my mind and put the rope at 60 feet in the large pine tree. This gave me flexibility to reach more places in Soba's tree if she decided not to come to me. Soba looked scared, and barely moved during the rope setup, giving an occasional faint, weak meow. Erin was on her way back from the vaccination, and I decide to wait for her in case Soba decided to jump. Once Erin arrived, I started up and was soon at height with Soba. The trunk of the large pine tree was between me and Soba, who was on a horizontal limb that abutted the pine tree's trunk. I started trying to entice her with food and treats from the right side of the trunk. Soba was facing me, and stayed just out of arm's reach, ignoring the food. Soba then started to turn around to retreat further out on the limb. I hurriedly tried the other side of the trunk, and was able to make a grab while she was still turning around. Soba did not struggle and was silent in the cat bag. Once on the ground, Erin took her inside for food and water. Everyone was relieved that the rescue had finished well. Erin and Keeley, many thanks for your generous donation to the Oktibbeha County Humane Society!