Foo - Grandma's ferral cat stuck in a tree

So I love my Gram. I'm a 6 -1" Clyde, she's 4-10" Sicilian who loves to bake, absolutely adorable.

She started feeding some ferral cats. There was drama that ensued involving kittens and a late trip to the vet. There are only two now that come around (who recognize her but runs if anyone else is around). For the record I don't think cats should be kept outside. Either keep them inside or don't feed them - she's caused problems by making them dependant on her to us, her and them.

To the problem at hand - one of them ran up a 45' locust tree in the woods yesterday. Everything I've seen online says they'll come down on their own after 3-5 days. Also they said attempts at rescue many times results in the cat running higher up the tree. Sometimes leaving some food at the foot of the tree helps as does the 'owner' coaxing.

The fire department doesn't do cats in trees but said sometimes if there's a few guys hanging around they might try to do something - but being Father's Day and a Sunday they were on a skeleton crew. Also - this is in the woods so they can't just raise up a bucket, they'd have to go up via a ladder.

So, she's very upset though I think any attempts of rescue will make the cat run up even higher.

Has anyone heard of a cat dying because they couldn't get back down? Any other rescue thoughts?

Never seen a cat skeleton in a tree. Sooner or later it's going to get hungry and thirsty and come down.

Maybe rakes some leaves around the tree. They'll break its fall or you can smoke it out, or both.

Unfortunately there's bamboo all around it. I think it would be a good thing since it would probably bend the tops and help break it's fall as opposed to acting like a tiger trap....

Never heard of one dying up a tree. Try coaxing again in the morning. An empty belly and full bladder may well give the kitty more courage to try.

12 gauge? Kidding kidding kidding. :)
I've seen them do this a lot and they always come down.
Farm cats are boss by the way.
Steven

Put milk and food at the bottom and try to keep people away from the tree. I should think it would come down in time.

+1 on the cat food idea. What goes up must come down...

You never know... the cat may be sneaking down for chow, then slinking back up there.

The cat will get hungry or thirsty enough and climb down on its own. No worries.

Now here's a thought ~ put bird seed at the bottom. The congregation there will attract the cat. Then have some "Kaboom" Catnip ready. :D

The cat will eventually come down. Having someone around it is scared of will just delay things. The food at the bottom is a good idea as long as there are no people around. What the heck, try catnip and bird food too.
I can understand why Gram is upset though. About all you can do is listen and be supportive.

We have a feral.
They simply are too scared of people to do anything while
they are around. If you leave some food and try to stay away
from the tree I thik it will come down when it feels safe.

Will anyone miss the tree if you cut it down? The first branches to hit the ground will slow the fall of the tree and the cat.

Just so you know- if you feed stray cats the gov't sees them as yours and you are now responsible to keep them in good health.

Thanks for all the advice guys!

Could probably cut the tree down but where it is I think will probably not safe - not many branches to slow its fall and would land in a pile of twigs and branches so I'd worry about it getting impaled.

We think there's another ferral in the area that scared it up there.

I want to smear some cat food on the tree bark so he can smell it but apparently they're already a bit finicky about the food Gram puts out. Gram goes out and shakes a can of food which I guess they're used to hearing now.

I'll let you know when it comes down!

Bend the tree over with some rope and a pulley system... If the cat gets off then great, if not, release the rope, it'll come off the tree then. (Just kidding....sort of).

I'd put some food at the bottom of the tree and leave like others have suggested. The cat will come down when it feels safe in doing so.

Update: Cat came down. There was much rejoicing :D

Bend the tree over with some rope and a pulley system...
LOL!!! Thank god you guys weren't actually there! (kitty launch)
Air - glad the kitty came down for ya