Cat pussyfoots down firefighters’ ladder after getting stuck in tree for two days

‘I’ve been in more than 25 years and I’ve never seen a cat do that before’

A cat that managed to find itself stuck up a tree for two days made its way back to solid ground when firefighters set up a ladder for it to make an escape.

The cat was stranded up a 25ft tree in Thornton Heath when firefighters from Norbury Fire Station, together with the RSPCA, were called out in a rescue operation.

A 30ft-long ladder was used to help assist the cat on its descent from the tree, but as firefighters readied themselves to go up and capture the feline, it decided to make its own way down.

Station commander Richard Hamilton, who was at the scene of the rescue, said: “Firefighters went to the aid of the cat after the RSPCA requested our assistance as they didn’t have the equipment to reach it.

“Once they’ve pitched the ladder, crews would usually go up to try and retrieve the cat, but the RSPCA inspector advised us to stand back and sure enough, it made its own way down the ladder.”

Mr Hamilton explained how the firefighters were shocked at the cat’s reaction saying “we couldn’t believe it” and adding: “I’ve been in more than 25 years and I’ve never seen a cat do that before.”

Having reached the ground, the ungrateful cat apparently sprinted off “without so much as a thank you”.

The station commander was keen to remind people that they should avoid putting themselves at risk when trying to rescue an animal, but said that the fire brigade is “ready, willing and able to assist distressed or injured animals”.

He said: “The last thing we want is for people to put themselves at risk rescuing an animal themselves – but we do encourage people to call the RSPCA in the first instance and we will assist if our specialist equipment is required, as in this case.”