Peanut, an 8-year-old cat from Sherborn, Massachusetts, was rescued by the Animal Rescue League and usually spent her time living as a barn cat. However, something spooked her, and she climbed high into a white pine tree one Sunday morning. For days, she was stuck 80-feet up in the air, meowing in distress, reports WCVB5.
“You know, we could hear her. It took us a while to figure out where exactly she was,” said Polly Kornblith, owner of Wildstar Farms in Sherborn. “Probably there were coyotes. Something came and scared her because she’s not an adventurous cat,” said Kornblith.
Screenshots via YouTube/WCVB Channel 5 Boston
The Fire Department Arrives to Save Peanut
Later that Sunday, the Sherborn Fire Department arrived with an 80-foot ladder truck to save Peanut. However, Peanut only became more frightened when the firemen went up the ladder and climbed higher into the pine tree.
Image via Facebook/Sherborn Fire Department
At that point, it looked like the cat’s rescue wouldn’t be possible. But fortunately, there was an expert tree climber in the area who also rescues cats on the side. Kornblith made a call to Andrew Joslin, owner of Tall Pines Tree School. Joslin teaches courses on how to climb trees safely in Carlisle, Massachusetts.
Andrew Joslin via Tall Pines Tree School
Peanut Stumps the Tree Expert
Once Joslin arrived, it seemed the cat’s prospects were looking up. Soon, he was climbing the tree and getting closer to Peanut. Then, he saw what he was dealing with – the cat was way out on thin and weak branches. Unfortunately, getting closer would be impossible, even for a tree expert.
“I realized once I got up there the cat was in a more precarious position that I realized from the ground,” Joslin said Monday.
Since Peanut was out of reach, he tried to lure her with a treat of sardines. Then, he hoped he could use a cat carrier to carry her back down. Once more, the barn cat didn’t want anything to do with her would-be rescuer.
Plan C by Andrew the ‘Climbing Cat Whisperer’
By now, two attempts had failed to save the cat, and it was time for Plan C. Meanwhile, Peanut’s family spread out a tarp in case she decided to try her luck jumping or if she fell.
“I can’t believe we’re doing this, and, hopefully, she’ll just hang tight for a little bit longer,” said Kornblith.
Now, Joslin had an idea that had less to do with tree-climbing expertise and more to do with knowing cat behavior.
“I’ll bait the trap, I’ll put a tarp on it, line it with pine needles — make it like an inviting cat cave,” he said.
Thus, he cleverly created a safe place for the scared cat and hoped she would take refuge. Low and behold, she did just that within an hour. Then, the rescuers were able to bring her to the ground safely.
Andrew Joslin releases Peanut into safety
WCVB noted Peanut had “loving, determined owners and Andrew the Climbing Cat Whisperer on her side.”
Polly Kornblith with Peanut
Three cheers to everyone who came to the rescue, particularly to Andrew Joslin’s ingenuity and understanding of cats and trees!
Image via Instagram/windstarfarm
Video by WCVB Channel 5 Boston:
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