“It’s very rewarding.”
Despite what many people assume, some cats really do need help when they get stuck in trees. Luckily, Shaun Sears and the team at Canopy Cat Rescue are always ready to step in when felines find themselves in trouble.
For the past 16 years, Canopy Cat Rescue has been helping stranded animals all across Washington state.
“Our main focus is climbing trees to save cats,” Sears told The Dodo.
But during one recent call, climbing wasn’t necessary at all.
Last month, Sears heard from a worried homeowner whose cat, Curtains, had landed herself in a risky situation. After slipping outside, the indoor-only cat ended up perched on a narrow branch high above the ground. Hours passed, and her nonstop cries made it clear she wasn’t coming down by herself.
“Her family really needed assistance,” Sears said, noting that Curtains had no outdoor experience.
Because of where the branch sat in relation to the home’s raised porch, Sears decided to use a less common rescue method.
“I used what we call the ‘pizza paddle’ or ‘peel’ approach,” Sears explained in a post. “I fold the net on my extendable pole to create a flat surface the cat can step onto. After roughly 8,000 rescues over 16 years, you learn a few creative tricks.”
Unlike traditional rescues that involve climbing and grabbing, this strategy relies on the cat’s willingness to cooperate — and Curtains was more than ready.
Once the makeshift platform was offered, Curtains carefully stepped onto it and was gently guided back to safety. In the end, both rescuer and cat played their part.
“Most rescues are much more challenging than this one,” Sears said.
Canopy Cat Rescue is a nonprofit organization that saves more than 800 cats each year, made possible through donations from animal lovers.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to do this work full-time,” Sears said. “Helping so many cats is truly rewarding.”