Maybe it was species-confused, or just didn't know any better, but a little 2-year-old cat named "Bear" found himself atop an 80-foot pine tree on West Doughty Street for an entire week. Neighboring residents around the tree heard the cat moaning for a week from Sunday, June 7 to Sunday, June 14, the day it was finally rescued.
According to Lake Shore Humane Society volunteer, Nancy Cranston, residents tried to contact local police and fire departments to aid in the rescue of the cat but were told the departments have guidelines due to past injuries from animal rescues that prohibit them from helping.
After a few tree services neglected to show up, as they said they would on Saturday, June 13 Cranston called Johnny from Johnny's Tree Service. On Sunday morning, Johnny arrived.
Article Photos
OBSERVER Photo By Michael Rukavina
Timmy, Cody, Cassidy and Christy Cottrell of West Doughty Street snuggle their two-year-old cat 'Bear' who was recently rescued from a top an 80 foot pine tree this past weekend. According to neighbors, 'Bear' spent almost a whole week in the tree.
"He came - his daughter and wife came with him - he put his climbing boots on and he spent an hour on the top of this 80 foot pine tree," Cranston said.
"He put moist food in a bag at the end of a long stick and he would pull it back and finally he got the cat to come closer to him, and those are thin branches on the pine tree. He kept at it and within an hour got the cat and brought it down.
"We're very appreciative of John the tree climber, a short man around 5-foot. 6 inches, a little goatee, goes right up the tree. He had the patience to wait for that cat and it was at the tip-top of the tree."
Cranston, who has made animal rescue her calling for the Lakeshore Humane Society, felt the rescue was a great triumph and in a way a community celebration.
"I know to some people that was nothing - so what - but I belong to the Humane Society and we rescue animals for adoption," she said. "That morning people were watching in their pajamas. I went to church later that morning and said I have a joy to describe and said I wanted to thank John on behalf of the Lakeshore Humane Society. And the organist said, 'I live in that area and I heard that cat since last Sunday.' So everyone clapped and it was like a community coming together."
"Bear" has since been placed in his protective carrying case and is with his owners, Timmy and Cody, who were said to be so happy once their cat was rescued.
Comments on this article may be sent to mrukavina@observertoday.com
