Cats are natural born climbers. Evolution has blessed them with sharp nails to grip bark, tails for balance while traversing tree limbs, strong back legs to launch from branch to branch, and whiskers to feel the wind as they perch above.

But cats can forget they have limits. Unsure and coddled housecats are particularly prone to getting stuck up in a tree.

How often are firefighters called to save cats from trees?

“It does happen!” said Jenna Harris, business manager for Humboldt Bay Fire. They don’t have an official count, but she estimated roughly 5-10 times a year they get the call.

Firefighters typically won’t respond to these calls because the commotion can make things worse, and the cat will subsequently jump down. Dispatch advises owners to leave out some food or something that smells like home.

Firefighters have, however, responded to help a cat whose foot was stuck in a drain, bears and children stuck in trees, or a teenager stuck in those baby-sized playground swings who had to be cut free.

The Outpost wants to know from YOU:

Have you ever called the fire department for Cat Stuck in Tree?