Please pray for Muskrat to come home safely.

Muskrat got out of my apartment tonight and ran up a tree that she used to climb (when she lived outdoors, and before I took her in), got stuck and instead of trying to jump down she went higher up and jump to the roof of my apartment building. It's a 2 story building, with flat roof, but slanted on the sides so she would have had to jump down from the slant (about 3 feet) to the flat roof. My concern is how will she get out. It's dark, and there's no way for me to get up there. On the side of the building, there is a small shed connected to the building where she can jump on then to the ground. But, this is if she is able to find it. Otherwise, she would have to use the same tree to come down from. I don't think she likes that tree because she was in it for so long. My friend got a ladder and I almost was able to grab her, then she scratched me and ran up even higher then jumped to the roof.

I'm worried sick, because it's chilly out tonight and there is no way up in the dark. I'd have to find a ladder long enough to even get up there, and not sure if the apartment will let me. I just don't know what to do at this point. Will she come back down on her own?

I don't know if she's able to jump up from the flat roof to the side slants to see where she should go. She's now pretty rusty at outdoor survival since I took her indoors almost a year ago. I'm really concerned. Any one know or have had experiences like this, if the kitty will be ok and come home safe? I know she recognizes my apartment unit, if she can get down from the roof. Please pray for my Muskrat to have a safe night and safe return. Thanks.

Can you call the manager to open the door for the rooftop?

I hope she comes home safe!!

There is no door to the roof. We'd have to get a ladder long enough (at least 20-25ft) to go from the outside of the building on to the roof. There's no maintenance at night, and I don't know what she can do if I call her.

if you think her life might be in risk, do hesitate in calling the fire department... They save plenty of cats from trees ; I am sure they would do the same from the roof.
Now cats are know for jumping down and being ok - she should be fine by jumping from a second story building.
Good luck!
PS: if she jumps down - does she know how to come back home?

I called the Fire Dept. for my city, and they say they don't send out fire engines for cats in trees or roof tops. The dispatcher says they've never done that and she says she doesn't even know what city would do that! She says because it's on TV a lot, that's why people think the Fire Dept. can help. I don't know what's true, and I don't care... all I care about is my kitty and I feel helpless. I won't be able to get help until morning! It's really chilly out!

I think Muskrat knows the way to my apartment unit if she can get down from there. Poor thing.

Originally Posted by nhlee529

I called the Fire Dept. for my city, and they say they don't send out fire engines for cats in trees or roof tops. The dispatcher says they've never done that and she says she doesn't even know what city would do that! She says because it's on TV a lot, that's why people think the Fire Dept. can help. I don't know what's true, and I don't care... all I care about is my kitty and I feel helpless. I won't be able to get help until morning! It's really chilly out!

I think Muskrat knows the way to my apartment unit if she can get down from there. Poor thing.

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wow, what a rude person you got there! Absolutely they do that - maybe not in your city, with this "great" dispatcher, but yes they do.
for her to come down tonight... Do you have a balcony? Is there anywhere you can sit outside that she could see you? you can coach her to jump, I guess... Tuna would be good for that... Tuna and your calling...

Carolina~ that dispatcher says over the 21 years she's been there, they've never sent out engines for this kind of thing. I thought it was odd too, because I called the non-emergency police dept. first, and they said they can probably get the fire dept. to help. Anyway, this dispatcher won't dispatch!! I don't know who else to call. The local fire dept. does not answer calls at night.

I walked all around the building (it's a pretty big building) again to try to see if Muskrat jumped onto the edge/slanted side, but I can't even see the entire roof. It's too high up. I tried to throw snacks up there, couldn't even reach. The flat portion of the roof is indented, so I'd have to jump down 2-3 feet from the edge even if I get up there! Could cats jump/climb 3 feet up, without very sharp nails? (Her nails are kind of trimmed).

They can easily jump 3 feet up - cats are know to jump over 5-6 feet...
Also, if she jumps down, she should be fine too - problems usually arise when they jump from the 7th floor and above.

Thanks for the reassurance. I called the police dept. again, and made the dispatcher contact the fire engine, but they still insist they don't come out for kitties. Boo!

I probably won't be sleeping much tonight. I'm going to go check again in a bit... hopefully by 8am I'll be able to get maintenance to help me but I hope Muskrat can come home before then!

Remember that she was an outside cat before, and probably has been on the roof, since she was always on the tree... These things tell me that she is going to be just fine... If you have a can of Tuna, put it by your house's door, or wherever she would come home to, it is a good bait.

There was a cat in a tree in my town last year. The volunteer fire department here also would not get involved. Had to do with their insurance regulations. This is the case in many places.

I'm really surprised there's no access to the roof. There usually is since roofs require maintenance eventually.

The cat in the tree here was up at least 25 feet. A very kind man got the tallest ladder he could find and tried to reach for the cat, but she was frightened and just went higher into the tree. He left a bowl of food for her nestled in the "crook" formed by two large branches.

Like Muskrat, this kitty had bad timing and was stuck in the tree in awful weather. It was February, in the low 30's. The tree was of course, bare, and the wind was blowing making it feel more like the 20's. She was up there at least 2 full days in this weather.

I don't know how she did it, but she got herself down. I'm sure that the food the man put up there helped her get through the ordeal. She found her way to a little storage shed near the tree and went underneath it to get out of the weather. Two little girls who lived nearby saw her and fed her. Luckily, she was friendly and came out for petting. I put her in a carrier and took Eva (the girls named her) to our wonderful local no kill (and cageless) shelter. Eva was a little bit of a cat - I thought she was a kitten but she turned out to be about 1 year old, just small for her age. She was gorgeous and sweet and was adopted by a wonderful family in just 4 days . It will always be a mystery as to how she got herself out of what seemed to be an impossible predicament.

I tell you this story to give you hope that Muskrat, too, will be able to get herself out of this jam. Never underestimate the intelligence, agility and determination of a cat. I'm not saying that they can always save themselves from every dangerous circumstance. But because Muskrat used to be outside and used to climb the tree she got onto the roof from, she may very well be able to backtrack and find her way down again. As in Eva's case, it may take a couple of days.

Keeping good thoughts going for Muskrat that she gets down soon, and for you, too - I can understand how worried you are for her.

I saw Muskrat on the edge of the roof~ near that tree! I kept on calling her to come down, she's just too scared to jump. She's very fat now, compared to before when she was outdoors so she might be more scared. She looked very tired and sleepy. I tried to shake her favorite snack and opened a can of fancy feast while she's looking at me, hoping she'll jump... but it's just too high. I'm in worse shape now than before, can't get any rest knowing she's sitting by the edge of the roof and I can't get to her!

KTLynn~ yea, there is no door access to the roof. Our complex is one of those with many separate buildings and they do use ladders to go up to do roof maintenance. Thanks for taking the time to tell me your story. It certainly gives me hope. I just don't want Muskrat to stay out there any longer. It probably isn't as cold out as the East Coast here, in LA... but still about 40-50 degrees at night... at least these few nights. I don't want her to get sick! Thanks for the good thoughts! Really appreciate it.

Carolina~ Thanks. I left some food by my door for her. Where she is at is actually not too far from my unit. I know she's trying to get back to me, just too scared to make a leap. I've been standing there in the dark waiting and trying to wave at her... but I can't make much noise now since it's almost 2AM and my neighbor's window is right underneath where Muskrat's at. I'm going to take a hot shower and go check on her again. Thanks for helping me!

Chances are she'll come down by herself, and 40 - 50°F won't hurt her. If she doesn't get down by herself, you'll need to find a neighbor tomorrow who has a long enough ladder. Some tree trimming companies are agreeable to rescuing cats from high trees or roofs - for a fee, usually.

If you wouldn't mind 15 minutes of fame, call your local news station, and tell them the story just as told to us. You will be on the you know what list from local police and fire who have done nothing to get the cat safe. They should be on the list. Unless there was a big fire or a murder, go get the cat!

Originally Posted by Trillcat

If you wouldn't mind 15 minutes of fame, call your local news station, and tell them the story just as told to us. You will be on the you know what list from local police and fire who have done nothing to get the cat safe. They should be on the list. Unless there was a big fire or a murder, go get the cat!

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Our local volunteer fire department rescues cats for a €100 /$150 fee, so it's not necessarily their job to ensure cats' safety. It cost our insurance company a couple of thousand when the fire and water companies had to come out to get Jamie out of a water main. Needless to say, Jamie is no longer insurable.

Muskrat will probably come down on her own. If you can't get her down using a ladder, would it be possible to drape and anchor a king-sized blanket she could use to climb down?

Muskrat is home, safe and sound now!! OMG, it's a miracle!! Thanks to every one for the ideas and support! Everybody here is so awesome and amazing!!

I went out to check on Muskrat early AM, still saw her on the edge of the roof every hour until 4:30AM. She still wouldn't jump then. I left some salmon flavored fancy feast by the bottom of the tree for her and dry food by my door. I was so tired and dozed off until 6AM when some light started to come through. Something woke me up and I jumped up to dash out to check on Muskrat again and surprise, surprise... once I opened my front door, my fat fur ball ran straight into my apartment!! I was shocked~ in the best way possible. I guess she's smarter than I thought! Muskrat looks OK, except for her muddy paws. She must have just gotten herself down and ran directly up the stairs to my apartment when I opened the door because both the canned and dry food were untouched. And, she was extremely hungry!

I fed my fatty (and she ate so much!), cleaned her paws, brushed her fluffy hair, hugged her for a while and now she's resting in her pad. I am so relieved that somehow she was able to come down on her own. No idea if she jumped off the building or climbed down from the tree... But I think she's OK, no sprains. Now I can catch some Zs...so can my other 2 fur babies. I've kept them up all night too!

Thanks very much everyone!! You gave my more support than family and friends here!! Really really appreciate it!!!

Btw, I'm not happy about our local Police/Fire department either! I can't believe they don't help with kitty rescues! So, what we see on the news is fake?? I've seen some heart warming stories on the news! I'd even let them bill me if they were willing to help! Odd. Good thing I didn't have to call the local news...haha. Thanks again.

I'm so glad she came down and home by herself! Hope the two of you can cuddle up and get some rest now.

Originally Posted by jcat

I'm so glad she came down and home by herself! Hope the two of you can cuddle up and get some rest now.

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Thanks Tricia! Muskrat's sleeping and now it's my turn! Good night.

P.S.- Jamie is so adorable!