Missing For Two Weeks, Desperate Cat Finally Found Stuck High In A Tree In Indiana

cat stuck in a high tree

The hero of this tale is Holly Young, accompanied by her loyal dog, Nugget.

It all started during one of their usual walks. As they strolled through their neighbourhood, Holly noticed something odd.

All the neighborhood dogs were barking loudly, which nearly drowned out the faint meows coming from somewhere nearby. Holly recalled the moment in an interview:

“When we kept walking, I noticed the meowing stopped. I picked up Nugget, so I could quietly walk back, and the meowing started again.”

high tree
Credit: Holly Young

She searched for the source of the sound, and when she looked up, she was taken aback.

High in a towering tree, she spotted the small silhouette of a cat against the streetlight. She was probably so frightened, stuck there for who knows how long.

Holly was resolute in her mission to save the distressed feline. She reached out to several local resources, including the nearby school, the Humane Society, and even the fire department.

Unfortunately, despite her best efforts, none were able to help. With no other options available, Holly decided to rescue the cat on her own.

cat stuck in a high tree
Credit: Holly Young

She recalled:

“A friend with an extension ladder came over that evening, and I climbed up to her, but she would back up out of reach.”

Unfortunately, the cat’s fear made the rescue mission increasingly challenging. 

Undeterred, Holly went to a nearby store and bought a can of tuna, hoping it might coax the cat down. Yet, the cat remained out of reach.

stuck cat
Credit: Holly Young

As the daylight began to fade, Holly decided to return the next day and try again. The following morning, something incredible happened. More people arrived to offer their help.

When the landlord of the building across the street heard about the rescue mission, he generously offered his extension ladder.

With renewed support, Holly climbed the ladder once again, extending her hand towards the cat.

To her amazement, this time, the cat didn’t retreat. Perhaps it was exhaustion, hunger, or sheer fear that had taken its toll.

rescued cat in a carrier
Credit: Holly Young

Finally, the beautiful feline allowed Holly to safely take her and bring her down. Holly recalled the heartwarming moment:

“I held her close to me and climbed down one rung at a time. When I put her inside (a carrier), she was so passive and compliant. She just seemed so relieved.”

Holly then contacted Sarah Hughes, a volunteer from The Meow Mission to ensure the cat had a safe and warm place to stay. She added:

“She was friendly, comfortable with being handled, and purred after she had some food and water.”

happy woman holding the cat
Credit: Holly Young

But the story didn’t end there! The cat was so sweet and friendly that everyone assumed she must belong to someone.

That thought lingered with Holly, so as soon as she got home, she immediately began checking lost-and-found pages online.

Once again, Holly was determined to do everything she could to reunite the cat with her family.

She filed a “found pet” report and took the cat to Family Pet Health Center to have her scanned for a microchip.

lost pet sign
Credit: Holly Young

Yet, there was no need for scanning, as the veterinary technicians instantly recognized the cat.

Holly was beyond happy to find out the cat had a family and that they’d be reunited. She added:

“Two vet techs at the clinic live in the same neighborhood, and they both had seen a post (online) about the cat. They also had received a full color ‘Lost Pet’ flier featuring this beautiful cat with distinct facial markings.”

Finally, the mystery was solved. It turned out the cat’s name was Winnifred, who had been missing for two weeks. 

cat and the owner
Credit: Holly Young

Winnifred was an indoor cat who had managed to make a swift escape but hadn’t returned home until Holly rescued her from the tree.

Her owner, Madge, had been desperately searching for her beloved cat, posting flyers around the neighborhood. Thanks to Holly, Madge’s wish was finally fulfilled.

Right after the long-awaited call, Madge rushed to the clinic to reunite with her beloved furry companion.

She was overjoyed, holding her tears while giving Holly a warm embrace. Then she snuggled Winnifred in her arms and went home.

cat sleeping on the couch
Credit: Holly Young

Holly said:

“She was telling all of us that just that morning, she had taken a walk and was trying to come to terms with the fact she might never see Winnie again.”

It was a truly remarkable and heartwarming reunion, made possible by the unwavering kindness of a woman who refused to give up on saving the poor cat.

If this rescue story moved you, feel free to share it with your loved ones. Let it inspire us all to be more like Holly, the true heroine of this story!

Read next