# Do fire departments still come to get stuck cats out of trees? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 2, 2018, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133 "2018-07-02T02:38:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/21 "2018-07-02T13:57:14Z")
My local FD just saved some ducklings from a storm sewer. I do believe it’s the second time they’ve had to do that in a year. I agree with **Emergency911** ’s assessment that it depends on the kind of PR your dept is looking for. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/22 "2018-07-02T14:01:43Z")
[The Master speaks.](https://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2916/do-fire-departments-actually-rescue-cats-from-trees/)It’s 10 years old, and lacks statistical rigor, but it’s from Uncle Cecil and that’s got to count for something. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/23 "2018-07-02T15:00:54Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > It did look like the person rescuing the cat in the end was a fireman, but really I’m only going by the uniform. An Animal Control officer could’ve donned the heavy jacket and gloves just as easily. Probably [_should_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okZW3_5Gr4s), in fact. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/24 "2018-07-02T17:01:01Z")
Not from a tree, but Tucson firefighters rescued five kittens from a storm drain on Saturday. > **[Tucson firefighters rescue 5 kittens from storm drain](https://tucson.com/news/local/tucson-firefighters-rescue-kittens-from-storm-drain/article_d82f3a56-7e09-11e8-ba81-5f0f9094137b.html)** > > The kittens were taken to a vet and will hopefully be available for adoption soon. ---
**Author:** ![KCB615](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ea666f/32.png) [@KCB615](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KCB615)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/25 "2018-07-02T22:00:45Z")
IAAFF. In the past 23 years, I have removed or assisted in the removal of 6 cats from trees. All have been truly stuck, one was hanging by its neck about 45 feet up. It’s by no means an everyday occurrence, but it certainly happens. There are two reasons we will rescue cats. The first is that we’re generally not jerks, most of us don’t like to say no to helping someone or something. We also recognize that if we don’t do it, with equipment and training that can get us there in relative safety, then another person is going to do it and we’ll get to rescue that person and a cat. To wit, I’ve rescued two dogs and one swan stuck in ice. Same principle. Town of 16,000 people. I’m not sure of the per-capita rates of stuck cats, so YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/26 "2018-07-02T22:54:54Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Fire and Rescue in the UK are very reluctant to turn out to carry out ‘feline antiarboreal rescue maneuvers’, but they will do it to prevent a Darwin Award candidate from messing up the pavement when he (it’s always a he) falls off his rickety ladder. Not to mention the cost to the NHS of ambulances and treatment in A&E. The local fire station sent a truck round to fill up a gigantic paddling pool at my local community centre last week. I mean, it was very hot by local standards, and they’re just across the road, and they were bribed with homemade cakes… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/27 "2018-07-02T22:58:07Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > There’s always [this guy](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/a6/79/10/a67910aa6bbf194d9e9801cedaea1969--action-comics-comic-books.jpg). Is he taking a selfie? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/28 "2018-07-02T23:42:43Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Is he taking a selfie? I wouldn’t be one bit surprised. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he “gave” it to Clark Kent to be published in the Daily Planet. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/29 "2018-07-03T00:21:28Z")
If firefighters are not available, one can hire a [professional](https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-41824821/the-men-who-save-cats-from-trees) [dedendrologist](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf24W_OvH8Ts-yo5m7IEVig/videos). ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/30 "2018-07-03T00:36:27Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > dedendrologist …or is that dedentriter? You get the idea. ---
**Author:** ![KRC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@KRC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KRC)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/31 "2018-07-03T01:45:02Z")
The fire department rescued a crow from a tree out here in 1991. It was tangled in something and had to be untangled. My co-worker thought it was a waste of the taxpayers’ money but I like crows and didn’t mind if some of my money was used to rescue it. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/32 "2018-07-03T03:03:36Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > If firefighters are not available, one can hire a [professional](https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-41824821/the-men-who-save-cats-from-trees) [dedendrologist](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf24W_OvH8Ts-yo5m7IEVig/videos). Cool videos - thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2018, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/33 "2018-07-03T04:09:36Z")
My cat (a real dumb bastard of an animal) once got out and got treed by a baby raccoon. He cried and howled until most of the neighbors can out to see what was going on. After a couple of hours, my wife called the fire department and reported that the person who answered just laughed and said to call an arborist unless the tree or cat was also on fire. Ultimately, I got an orthopedic surgeon to get the cat out of the tree, but his profession was only incidental to his skill in rigging a ladder and ropes off his deck toward the tree. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2018, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/34 "2018-07-05T17:29:48Z")
[My local police rescued a macaw out of a tree yesterday…](https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/local-news/green-bay-first-responders-help-rescue-macaw-from-tree/1284219719) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2018, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/35 "2018-07-05T17:35:43Z")
> [@Serenata67](#): > > [My local police rescued a macaw out of a tree yesterday…](https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/local-news/green-bay-first-responders-help-rescue-macaw-from-tree/1284219719) I was about to post that same story! The macaw was in a tree in the front yard of some friends of mine – my friends initially realized that there was something going on when they saw a guy (the macaw’s owner) trying to climb their tree. They went out into the yard, and convinced the owner to not try to rescue the bird on his own (since it was about 50’ up in the tree), and they’re the ones who called the fire department for the rescue. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2018, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/36 "2018-07-05T18:20:48Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I was about to post that same story! The macaw was in a tree in the front yard of some friends of mine – my friends initially realized that there was something going on when they saw a guy (the macaw’s owner) trying to climb their tree. They went out into the yard, and convinced the owner to not try to rescue the bird on his own (since it was about 50’ up in the tree), and they’re the ones who called the fire department for the rescue. I think they were rescuing the owner from his own demise. Are we rescuing animals or thwarting escape attempts? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2018, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/37 "2018-07-05T18:57:50Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > I think they were rescuing the owner from his own demise. That was, in fact, my friends’ initial concern. 😃 However, they were also longtime bird owners (they had a lovely cockatiel for several decades), and they wanted to help with getting the macaw rescued. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2018, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/38 "2018-07-05T19:50:09Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I was about to post that same story! The macaw was in a tree in the front yard of some friends of mine – my friends initially realized that there was something going on when they saw a guy (the macaw’s owner) trying to climb their tree. They went out into the yard, and convinced the owner to not try to rescue the bird on his own (since it was about 50’ up in the tree), and they’re the ones who called the fire department for the rescue. My husband was driving and I noticed the cop car in front of the house with a ladder. I joked, “What’s stuck in the tree now?” Found out it’s a bird… ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2018, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/39 "2018-07-06T14:37:49Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Oh, don’t worry. I am furiously scouring all available statistics published in the scholarly literature by every fire department in the entire world throughout history to compile a complete database of feline antiarboreal rescue maneuvers for your perusal. But in order to complete my study and subject it confidently to peer review, I will require you to provide more definite parameters. …Please clarify: > [snip] > > > [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > > > Don’t worry **friedo** , when cats are concerned, I fully support the picking of nits… **friedo** ’s proposal, including **Alpha** ’s recommendations, is intrinsically invalid, and in fact deeply troubling because gender of the rescue personnel (let alone the cats) is not part of the data. It clearly is not suitable for peer-review. I, for one, would insist that it not be returned to the author for further revision because of his intractable and well-demonstrated inability to function in the pluralized social construction known as Science. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133/40 "2018-07-07T16:01:43Z")
[Frightend feline rescued from Big Sur redwood](http://pineconearchive.fileburstcdn.com/180706PCfp.pdf) > [@](#): > > It’s not just an urban legend that firefighters rescue cats from trees, as the Big Sur fire department proved when they saved a gray tabby from a redwood last week. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-fire-departments-still-come-to-get-stuck-cats-out-of-trees/817133.md?page=1)