Central Ohio’s cat-retrieving expert reveals best practices

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — When a Columbus woman discovered a cat dozens of feet up a massive tree, she also learned how difficult it can be to get a timber-climbing kitty back down to earth.

The woman wrote on the app Nextdoor that she began by following the advice of Columbus Humane. She first called the fire department only to be told they do not rescue cats. Her next option was a tree-trimming company but she was concerned such a service would be cost-prohibitive.

“I hate listening to it cry,” she wrote in her plea to neighbors. “It’s obviously scared and not a single one of my ladders will reach anywhere close to the height. My 17-year-old insists he’s about to climb up to get it but it’s too high for him to safely do it. Help!!! What do I do???”

On the advice of her neighbors, she contacted a local cat-retrieving expert who helped her and also offered some valuable knowledge to others who might find themselves in the same situation.

Duane Hook, who is a bit of a social media celebrity , operates Getmeowtahere Treetop Cat Rescue . He has been rescuing cats for 14 years after gaining experience as a tree-climbing enthusiast. Hook also records his rescues and shares the videos and pictures online.

In a message to NBC4 about this specific rescue, Hook said it brought up some sentimental feelings, but not because of the cat.

“The most interesting thing for me … was that it was one block away from where I grew up, on the Hilltop,” Hook wrote. “I hadn’t visited the neighborhood in many years and while winding through the alleyways of my childhood, I experienced a deep nostalgia as memories just out of reach were wafting to the surface.”

In the post comments, Hook took to educating the community about what to do when they find a cat stuck in a tree and when to get professional help.

“I have rescued cats that have been in trees for up to 13 days before people have found me,” noted Hook. “Cats are very resilient and are not in danger when in a tree for a couple of days -especially when there is rain for them to hydrate themselves. Most cats in fact do climb down on their own within the first 2 nights. If this is an outdoor cat that has access to trees, then climbing down is the best case scenario. If the cat is still up there after 2 nights, I will head over and give it my best effort.”

Hook also offered these points:

1. Avoid placing a ladder in the tree. It often scares cats higher up and creates an obstruction. Cats are naturally equipped to climb down trees better than using ladders.

2. Do not put food at the tree’s base. Food can attract scavengers and frighten the cat further. Ensure dogs are kept away from the area for at least 48 hours to allow the cat to feel safe enough to come down.

3. When calling for the cat, stand at the base of the tree trunk, not out in the yard. This encourages the cat to climb down the trunk to reach you, rather than venturing out on a limb.

4. If the cat has been in the tree overnight, it’s time to contact a professional rescuer. Most cats will come down within the first two nights, but after the first night, arranging for a climber to come the next day can be helpful.

Beyond his cat-saving tasks, Hook also revealed that his passion extends to many other animal species.

“One of the most gratifying facets of my tree climbing life is that I also climb for the Ohio Wildlife Center to rescue/re-nest native wildlife, and Glen Helen Raptor Center to help with the same,” Hook said.

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