Cats In High Places Make The News

An Albuquerque gas station Friday morning heard mewing sounds coming from their roof. Concerned about what to do -- they called the fire department for help. Soon after a crew came out to investigate and uncovered a litter of baby kittens nesting there. They brought them down and took them to the local animal shelter for care and adoption.


Strange as it seems, this is not that unusual. Mother cats often go to great heights to protect their babies. Rooftops or even tree tops can be nesting areas for feral cats. Whether they give birth in these high places or just move the kittens to (perceived) safety afterward isn’t clear. For whatever reason some mom cats believe their newborn kittens are safer up high hidden from people and predators –– regardless of the inherent risk of falling. And – in urban areas where there’s traffic and people outdoors day and night – they may be right.

But to most people the site of even an adult cat looking down at them from a tree or roof is cause for alarm. Usually their panic is unwarranted. If the cat got up the tree on her own, most likely she can get back down on her own– but not while you’re under the tree watching.

On those rare occasions when a cat climbs up higher than she should have, you may want to intercede. First try putting food out near the tree to tempt the cat down. This works best at dusk or dawn. (A scared cat won’t go anywhere in daylight no matter how tempting the food may smell or look.) If the cat doesn’t take the bait, wait at least 24 hours before seeking professional help– and don’t try to rescue her yourself. The cat will be nervous and may struggle, scratch and bite – and if you’re not used to being up high the commotion may make you lose your balance and fall.

You can try calling a fire department as the gas station did – or a utility company – but most are not as compassionate as the Albuquerque FD. Typically they don’t respond. If your city has an animal control officer or shelter they may help but many don’t have the right equipment. Tree-cutting services are often the most helpful and have the right equipment to safely rescue the cat, but may charge a fee. Some are registered at the web site: Cat In A Tree Rescue.

Beyond hiring a professional, there’s little else you can do to help. Fortunately most of the time the cat can figure out a way down – sooner or later – and when she does be prepared for her to scoff at you as only a cat can scoff.  Her expression says what she’s thinking more clearly than words ever can – “What was all your fuss about? – I was just up high getting a new perspective on life and wasn’t in a bit of trouble. You humans are such babies!”