RSPCA and fire services rescue a young cat stuck 25ft up a tree in Sussex

The RSPCA and fire services rescued a young cat which was stuck in a tree about 25ft high.

Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Julie Parsons attended on Sunday (6 June) in Upper Hollingdean Road, Brighton, along with the fire services after reports that a cat had been stuck up a tree for a day.

They were unable to reach the cat with ladders as she was too far along a thin branch which wouldn’t have held the ladder. The fire and rescue team used an aerial lift to reach the cat and prevent the cat from jumping down on her own and potentially hurting herself.

RSPCA rescuer Julie checked her over and the young, female black and white cat was uninjured but a little shaken.

Julie said: “This poor cat had got herself well and truly stuck in quite a high tree on a thin bit of branch. We are very grateful that the fire services could assist us in helping this poor moggy in bringing her to safety.She isn’t microchipped and no owner has come forward yet so she is now in the care of our RSPCA Patcham Animal Centre in Brighton.”

In a vast majority of cases cats are very capable of getting themselves down from a tree, so unless there are special circumstances, the RSPCA advises owners to try and coax their pet down with strong smelling food like fish and if that doesn’t work to give them a call back after 24 hours.

After that time an RSPCA officer will then visit to see if they can help.

RSPCA officers are trained to use ladders, which they carry for rescues like this, however, in situations where they still are unable to reach the animals, they may ask the fire service to help and they often use animal rescues as a vital training aid.

If you are the owner of this cat please contact the inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.