my 5mo old kitten is stuck up a very tall tree,

[superconnected]

Shes crying. It's night time so I can't even see her. She's way up.

any ideas?



Her name is Mischief.

[regnaD kciN]

1. Some ideas...

(I cross-posted this from the other site you posted it on, since I don't know which one you'll check first.)

Is the tree on the parking lot side or the courtyard side? In other words, is there grass or pavement underneath?

If it's the parking lot, see if it's possible to move your car to directly underneath it, then put something padded on the roof so she can have a platform to which to jump.

If it's the courtyard, still see if you can put some padding underneath, preferably on some boxes or something to reduce the distance. While it would be nice if she had the presence of mind to back down the tree, most kittens don't, and start part of the way down before losing their balance and jumping. Make sure she has some place safe to land.

It might be useful to put out some food for her, so she will have extra motivation to come down. And, of course, try to be there with her.

This sort of thing is really hard for a cat owner. About six or seven years ago, The Great Pumpkin pulled a similar stunt and wound up in a maple tree about thirty to forty feet up. (Imagine another story on your apartments there -- it would be about as high up as the top of the roof in such a case.) He eventually backed down, but I was calling the local fire department by the time he finally did so. And there was one time, when we were living in your same apartment complex, when we had to get a neighbor's kitten down from a tree between buildings 30 and 31. (That's when we used the "move the car so the cat can jump on the roof" trick.)

And, if you need to call me, do so. I'll keep the cell on all night. Don't worry about waking me up. And I'll be glad to come up (right now if necessary) and help out if you need it.

[radfringe]

2. ladder?

or a long board(s)so she can climb down?



as a kitten one of our cats got between the walls in the stairway -- there is an odd little "window" in the stairway that has been blocked over - not very well because there was a gap at the top of it

the "then" kitten went exploring and climbed or fell down between the walls.. had to pull out wood blocking the hole, I lowered down a sheet and she climbed out. This "window" is now securly blocked off

[demnan]

3. Did you get her down yet?

It sounds like you have a good neighbor there to help you. Lily escaped outside and did this once to me when she was about that age and it scared me to death. She eventually backed down the tree.

I'd try to keep her inside at least until after you get her fixed. This way they grow a little sense (which doesn't help if they actually escape outside, of course).

[superconnected]

4. she is fixed. I got her fixed a month ago- with her brother and sister.

It looks like the kind of tree she should be able to climb down. She's just scared. Shes' way up - 30-40 feet, but there are a lot of branches.

She sure is vocal about wanting help. I'm also worried she will fall because she keeps walking out on limbs that point downward - trying to get closer to the ground. She doesn't realize those branches end. Luckily she keeps coming back to center then going and trying another branch.

If only she'd figure out from center she should just try going down..

I've now called all tree services in Everett -my city. 12 of them. 2 can help me later tonight - maybe they said. They are busy. Prices for these were $75-$250.

[oregonjen]

5. Dorky question, I guess, but can the fire dept. send a truck with a ladder

Poor little thing. I hope she comes down okay.

[demnan]

6. Do you have an older cat who could show her how

That is how I got Lily down. Keep patting the trunk with your arms - keep her focused there. I would call the fire department.

[superconnected]

7. I called the fire and police

they told me they don't do that and said to call a tree top service.

I called 12 tree top services - $75-$250 to get her out. Two said they can do it but can't get to it yet. She has to wait several more hours till they get the work they already plan to do today done.

[newsguyatl]

8. did you ever get her down?

[legally blonde]

9. Poor little thing

Did you get Mischief down yet? We're keeping our fingers crossed.

[Robeson]

10. A beautiful little Tortie....

...what has happened?

[superconnected]

11. around 4pm

The professional tree climber came, put on his stuff - spikes etc, went right up the tree, followed my kitten who went to the top, some how pried her off the tree, put her in the pillow case and tied it, and climbed back down with her dangling from a rope attached to his belt.

He was awesome.

The second she got let out of the pillow case- in my livingroom, she just kept purring. She is sleeping now. So that worked! Only cost $100. Whew.

I tried to post on DU but it was down. I then fell asleep as I was up all last night.

Mischief won't go outside now. I opened the back door for her siblings to go out and she ran and hid behind the dresser.
My cats are indoor cats until nightfall, then I let them out for a few hours. They've grown used to the schedule.

[Robeson]

12. So glad to hear she is safe and sound...

...we have a little tortie, so I felt like a kindred spirit had been trapped in that tree. Thanks so much for the update!... :hi:

[regnaD kciN]

13. Kitten rescued from tree. Film at 11!

I got some photos of the rescue, which I may post tomorrow after I've had a chance to clean them up a bit.

[regnaD kciN]

15. And here are the photos...

Help is on the way...




"The cat's in the bag."

[oregonjen]

14. I'm glad to hear she is safe.

Mischief is an appropriate name! :)

[regnaD kciN]

16. News Flash! Kitten up tree AGAIN!

Yep, Mischief went up the exact same tree again tonight. Fortunately, not so far up this time, and superconnected was able to get her down using a 15' board as a walkway.

I think I know one kitten who's going to be grounded for life...

[superconnected]

17. Bad Mischief, bad bad, and I think shes teaching the others

So tomorrow I'm going to call the vet and see about clipping her claws waaay back. And all of her siblings, as shes being a bad influence.

[regnaD kciN]

19. I'm reminded of the classic definition of insanity...

"Doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results."

:crazy:

[legally blonde]

18. Glad to hear that you got her down!