One of the most annoying things about internet cookies and algorithms is that once you look at one post, you’re inundated with ads and suggestions about that topic. This also happens to be one of the best things about cookies and algorithms, particularly when one is in the habit of looking at heroic tales about pets. If this sounds like you, then no doubt you have, or soon will, come across some videos of a truly remarkable man and his quest to rescue cats that have found themselves stranded in trees, unwilling or unable to descend to safety.
You might be forgiven for thinking that this is usually the purview of first responders, but these days it is very rare for firefighters to come to the aid of a wayward feline, with the red tape of safety risks, liability considerations, and resource limitations blocking the way. You might also believe that if a cat climbs up a tree, they should be able to climb back down, but this is not always the case.
Climbing up is quite a natural behavior for cats, but their confidence on the way down tends to be somewhat shaky. As they ascend, they have more control over their speed and trajectory, while the descent is inherently more dangerous, with gravity and daunting heights making the way down much trickier to navigate. And while it may seem counterintuitive, cats that are experiencing difficulty amongst the branches of a tall tree will often panic and climb further up.
While it is true that many cats do eventually find their way back onto solid ground, sadly, there are those that fall, leading to injury or death, and others that perish amongst the boughs, something Duane Hook of Columbus, Ohio, dedicates his life to preventing.
Back in 2010, Duane was slogging away as a factory worker when he got a Halloween call for help that would change the trajectory of his life. Seeing the joy in the faces of the children below as he returned their marooned moggie to safety, Duane knew that his first rescue would not be his last.
A nature enthusiast and adventurer, Duane has combined his love of climbing with his love of animals to rescue hundreds of cats over the years, with his gentle approach and incredible skill gaining him thousands of online followers, and a constant flow of calls for his help. Using photos of the cat in situ to organize his equipment and plan his approach, Duane tries to be prepared for anything, including a panicked jump or fall, with those positioned below with a sheet to catch any falling felines, something that, fortunately, rarely occurs.
Armed with plenty of treats and his calm nature, Duane always tries to coax the cats to come to him voluntarily, though not all of his quarry are happy to see him! With a swift manoeuvre that borders on sleight of hand, he quickly transfers the wayward kitty into his nifty cat bag to ensure both their safety and his as they head back down to earth.
Some rescues are straightforward, but most have their own unique challenges, and no two are ever the same. Take Bailey, for instance, who spent three days in a silver maple with no hope of getting down on her own. This tree was traversed twice by powerlines, meaning Duane needed to employ some tricky rope positioning to avoid electrocution, in addition to the standard perils of a treetop rescue.
Duane has even been called out to rescue cats that are not in need of help, like the adventurous cat named Pepper, who had reportedly been stranded in a tree for over a month! He evaded rescue attempts by hiding in the hollows of the silver maple, seeming to disappear within the trunk of the mighty tree. After spending hours failing to capture this kitty, Duane returned to the property just in time to watch his target casually trot from beneath the front porch of the house and into his favorite hidey hole amongst the branches, perfectly content to climb up and down as he pleased!
Of course, not all stories have such happy endings, and as one heartbreaking video shows, the assumption that a cat will eventually find their own way out of a tree can have deadly consequences.
Fortunately for cat lovers, Duane is one of many brave arborists who donate their time and expertise to reuniting stranded cats with distraught families, and he does so without charging a fee.
“Being able to help people and their animals enriches my life,” says Duane, and while his generosity is something to be admired, we would encourage anyone in receipt of his, or other rescuer’s efforts, to consider making a donation to their cause.
Most importantly, Duane wants people to be aware of who to call if they find a tree-bound cat in need of assistance, and in the US, your first point of contact should be catinatreerescue.com.
You can also follow Duane’s adventures on Instagram (duane.hook) and TikTok (getmeowttahere).
We will be talking to Duane on an upcoming episode of the brand new podcast Chatty Cattys, so be sure to subscribe!
All images courtesy of Duane Hook
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