On Thursday evening, Methuen Animal Control Officer (ACO) Renee Falardeau received a call from dispatch and the Methuen Fire Department about 3 cats that were stuck on a roof of a 2 story home located in Methuen. ACO Falardeau was advised the fire department had responded there on Wednesday and Thursday but unable to rescue the cats.
The next morning, ACO Falardeau spoke to the owner of two of the cats. She learned the third cat had possibly chased her two cats up a tree and onto the roof. As a result, the three cats were unable to get down, and that they have been up on the roof since then. There was no access to the roof through any windows, crawlspace, or vents.
The owner of Sheehan’s Towing company along with his staff worked with the property owner and used a ladder to get to the roof. It was determined that a trap could not be safely placed to capture the cats at this time. A metal ramp system was secured to the ladder which provided a spot for the cats to climb down. After several hours, the cats did not take advantage of this opportunity even with a buffet of food awaiting them.
Because the area was experiencing one of the coldest nights of the year, there was great concern for the cats, so time was of the essence. ACO Falardeau reached out to Lawrence Animal Control Officer Ellen Bistany for assistance. Together, they worked late into the evening to find other options to rescue the cats. Several tree companies, roofing companies, and rescue groups were contacted for help. There was an overwhelming response to help. ACO Falardeau put a rescue team together and a plan was put in place for first thing in the morning.
Saturday morning, ACO Falardeau and Lawrence ACO Bistany received assistance from New Bedford Animal Control Officer Manny Maciel. A trap was placed on the roof with some creativity of the team in an attempt to capture these cold, hungry, and scared cats one by one. The team watched as one of the cats entered the trap. As they held their breath in anticipation, the cat set off the trap and narrowly escaped back onto the roof. They were so close to saving one of the cats. While this was disappointing, they did not let that deter them and continued the rescue operation.
After several attempts with long nets from the second-floor porch area, the first cat leaped onto a tree. They were then able to lure this cat down and he took off evading capture.
Andrew Joslin of Andrew Joslin’s Tree service then arrived on the scene. Andrew donated his time and services to help the remaining cats that have now been on the roof for five days. With frigid temperatures in the single digits, Andrew climbed up a tree and onto the roof. After carefully moving across the peak of the roof he was able to get to the front of the residence where the two cats were sitting on the edge. Andrew lowered his net and one cat jumped into a tree. The cat jumped down branch by branch with the rescue team waiting below with nets. The cat evaded the nets and ran off unharmed.
Andrew then worked on the last cat left on the roof. Lowering his net again the last cat leaped into the tree and wedged itself in place. ACO Falardeau and ACO Maciel stood on the second-story porch and used a 12-foot extension control pole to secure the cat around his torso. ACO Bistany waited down below to catch the cat in case he fell. The last cat was then gently pulled into a net and safely captured. This cat was then reunited with his worried family who was advised to seek emergency veterinary care. Efforts are being made to locate and secure the two cats that ran off.
The Methuen Police Department and ACO Falardeau wanted to send out a big thank you for everyone involved in this heart-stopping rescue.
Special thanks to Lawrence Animal Control Officer Ellen Bistany, New Bedford Animal Control Officer Manny Maciel, Sheehan’s Towing Company and the Methuen Fire Department for their efforts to rescue the cats.
A big thank you to Andrew Joslin of Andrew Joslin Tree Service of Carlisle, MA. Andrew donated his time during frigid conditions to climb on the roof to help save these cats.
Finally, we want to thank everyone who reached out and offered their services to help these cats in need.