CAT IN A TREE RESCUE • CENTRAL OHIO AND BEYOND

GETMEOWTAHERE

CAT IN A TREE RESCUE

When your cat is stuck in a tree, I am here to help

I’m Duane Hook, a tree climber and animal lover who’s been rescuing cats from treetops since 2010. I help panicked pet owners make a safe plan to get their pets back to the ground— and when needed, I climb.

This is a donation-supported rescue service. If I’m able to help and you’re able to give, your support keeps this work going

Helpful Tips for Cats in Trees

When cats are scared and high up, they don’t behave like they normally do on the ground. The things that usually motivate them — food, toys, calling from a distance — often don’t work in a tree. Fear changes their priorities.

Most cats will climb down on their own within the first 48 hours if the situation around the tree feels safe and quiet. This is always the best outcome. It builds their confidence and avoids the risks of a rescue attempt where a frightened cat might climb higher or even jump.

If your cat is stuck in a tree, the most important thing you can do is stay calm and avoid making the situation worse.

What NOT To Do

1. No ladders. Ladders usually scare cats higher into the tree. They also block the trunk, which is the main path a cat will use to climb down. If the cat falls or jumps, a ladder creates a dangerous landing zone directly in the path of their fall.

2. No food at the base of the tree. Most cats in trees have been chased up there by another animal — a dog, coyote, raccoon, tomcat, etc. Putting food at the base of the tree often attracts more animals and keeps the cat afraid to come down. A terrified cat is not motivated by food.

3. No calling from far away. Standing out in the yard or on the porch and calling can lure your cat out onto smaller, weaker branches as they try to move toward your voice. This increases their risk of falling and makes it harder for them to get back to the main trunk.

What TO Do

1. Keep the area calm and quiet. Limit activity around the tree. No yelling, no crowds gathering, and no games or loud noises nearby. The quieter and calmer it is, the safer your cat will feel about attempting a climb down.

2. Keep all dogs and other animals away from the tree. Even a friendly dog can make a scared cat feel trapped. Keep dogs indoors or well away from the area for as long as the cat is in the tree.

3. Have the cat’s primary human call from the base of the trunk. The person your cat trusts most should be the only one calling. Go directly to the base of the tree, place a hand on the trunk if you can, and call for one to two minutes. If the cat doesn’t make an effort to climb down, walk away and ignore the tree for 30–40 minutes before trying again.

Many cats make their first real attempt to climb down right after the human walks away. It can take several cycles of calling, then walking away, before they commit to the descent.

If there is still no progress after the cat has been in the tree for about 24 hours, it’s time to plan a rescue. Remember that cats are nocturnal, and many will choose the safety of nightfall to begin their descent.

About Duane & Getmeowtahere

Cat in a Tree Rescue — Central Ohio and beyond

I’m Duane Hook, a tree climber and animal lover who has been rescuing cats from treetops since 2010. What began as a simple love of climbing trees—and just being in them—grew into something much bigger. Cat rescue became another reason to climb trees, and over time it turned into a true labor of love: a way to help animals and the communities who care about them by using my climbing skills to reduce fear, stress, and suffering.

I climb using modern arborist techniques, ropes, and safety gear designed to protect me, the cat, and the tree. Every tree is different, and every cat is different, but my goal is always the same: keep the animal calm, keep everyone safe, and bring the cat back to the ground with as little stress as possible.

Over the years, I’ve rescued cats from backyard maples, city street trees, deep woods, and trees that were unclimbable. I’ve helped senior cats, feral cats, “indoor only” escape artists, and more than a few very large “I swear he’s not usually this heavy” house cats.

Telling the stories

Somewhere along the way, I started filming rescues—not to show off, but to share the human stories behind them. Every cat is different, every tree is different, and every person waiting at the bottom is carrying their own mixture of panic, hope, guilt, fear, and love. Those emotions are real, and when I edit videos, I try to capture the humanity in each rescue: the way someone talks to their cat, the sigh of relief when we’re back on the ground, the tearful laugh that follows a harrowing night.

The videos became an unexpected outlet for me. They allowed millions of people to learn about this strange little corner of the world—cat rescue from trees—and somehow, the stories resonated. People saw kindness. They saw perseverance. They saw relief. And maybe they saw a part of themselves in the moment a pet returns home.

I don’t think of myself as a hero; I’m just an old dude who loves climbing trees. Helping animals is the bonus. But if the videos bring someone comfort, or teach them something, or make them smile on a hard day, that feels meaningful.

A community bigger than me

Through this work, both on the ground and online, I’ve met tree climbers all over the country and around the world who also rescue cats from trees. We share techniques, lessons learned, and stories of both successes and near misses. It’s a supportive community, and I’m grateful for it.

The online community—more than 600,000 animal lovers across a couple of platforms—has become equally rewarding. Beyond the modest financial support the videos bring, those followers help spread information to people who need it most. Because of them, I’ve been able to assist cat owners in other states and even other countries: finding local climbers, offering guidance, easing panic, and helping people understand that their situation is going to be okay.

Support & mission

Getmeowtahere is a donation-supported rescue service. There’s no fee required for a rescue, and I never want cost to be the reason a cat is left in a tree. If I’m able to help and you’re able to give, your support keeps this work going and helps me say “yes” to the next person who needs help.

Quick facts
  • Rescuing cats from trees since 2010
  • Based in central Ohio — travel when I can
  • Uses professional tree-climbing gear and techniques
  • Rescues funded entirely by donations and video support
How I can help
  • Phone counseling when your cat first gets stuck
  • On-site rescues when it’s no longer safe to wait
  • Education and videos to help pet owners make safer choices

Whether you're in central Ohio or somewhere far away, you’re welcome to reach out. If I can’t climb the tree myself, I’ll still do my best to help you make a plan—or, if needed, connect you with a climber in your area.

If I’ve helped your cat—or brightened your day with one of my videos—a Google review goes a long way in helping the next person find help faster.

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Helpful Tips

Having a cat stuck in a tree can be very stressful — for you and for the cat. I am here to help.

Since 2010, I’ve rescued countless cats from trees. When cats are scared and high up, they don’t behave like they normally do on the ground. The things that usually motivate them often do not work in a tree.

Most cats will climb down on their own within the first 48 hours. This is the best outcome. It builds their confidence and avoids the risks involved in a rescue.

Below are the key things NOT TO DO and what TO DO to give your cat the best chance of climbing down safely.

What NOT To Do

1. NO LADDERS
Ladders often scare cats higher into the tree, block their climbing path, and create a dangerous landing zone.
Remove ladders immediately.

2. NO FOOD
Do not place food around the tree. Food only attracts other animals that will keep your cat afraid to come down. Terrified cats are rarely motivated by food.
Remove all food from the area.

3. NO CALLING FROM AFAR
Do not call from the yard or porch. Calling from a distance can lure the cat onto thin, unsafe branches.

What TO Do

1. Keep the area calm and quiet, free of unnecessary activity.

2. Keep all dogs away from the tree. and out of the area for the duration that the cat is in the tree

3. The cat’s main human should call ONLY from the base of the tree. Go to the trunk, place a hand on it if possible, and call intensely for 1–2 minutes.
If the cat doesn’t try to climb down, walk away, go inside, out of view of the cat for 30–40 minutes.
Return and repeat this cycle
Never call from anywhere except the base of the tree.

Many cats will begin their descent right after the human walks away and is out of view. If there is still no progress after 24 hours, it’s time to plan a rescue.

Cats are nocturnal and often wait for nighttime to climb down.

I’ll be sharing safe DIY techniques in future videos.
I’m always available for phone counseling — no matter where you are located.

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About Me

Hi, I’m Duane — the tree-climbing cat rescuer behind Getmeowtahere.I’ve been rescuing cats from trees since 2010, after discovering a community of arborists and climbers dedicated to helping animals in trees.
I originally started climbing because I love trees, and hanging out in them, but quickly realized I could use that skill to reduce suffering — both for terrified cats and the people who love them.Since then, I’ve helped hundreds of cats across Ohio, into Indiana, and Kentucky -often climbing 80–110 feet into trees to bring these furry friends back to safety. I also volunteer with the Ohio Wildlife Center and Glen Helen Raptor Center, helping re-nest hawks and owls, and assisting with wildlife rescues where climbing is required.My work has been covered by NBC4, The Wall Street Journal, The Columbus Dispatch, (614) Magazine, Newsweek, and others, but at the core, this is simply about reducing suffering and helping one animal at a time.Even though I have gained a measure of notoriety as “the guy who rescues cats from trees,” most of this work actually happens before I ever climb. Each year I receive hundreds of calls, and most cats — with the right guidance — climb down on their own within about 48 hours. My first priority is always the cat’s safety and stress level, not rushing into a dangerous rescue if there’s a better option.This is a donation-supported service. I do not charge a fee. If I’m able to help, and you’re able to give, your donation helps cover time, fuel, climbing gear, and the ability to keep saying “yes” to the next rescue.Whether your cat just went up a tree, or you’re 48+ hours into the nightmare, I’m here to help you figure out the safest path forward.

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SUPPORT THIS WORK

This rescue service is supported entirely by donations, and by the engagement on my rescue videos. If you’d like to help keep this work going, please dontate below and follow the social links to like, follow and share!

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Getmeowtahere — Cat in a Tree Rescue

Central Ohio • Est. 2010

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