In a world filled with bad news and division, I—like so many others—find unexpected comfort in cat videos. There’s nothing quite like them to lift my spirits. On TikTok, my favorites combine three things I love most: cats (of course), trees, and offering a free service. This unique mix comes to life through an extraordinary man from Ohio—Duane Hook, a cat whisperer and real-life hero who climbs 150-foot trees, even in the darkest days of winter, to rescue stranded cats. Sometimes the cats cooperate with gratitude—and sometimes, let’s just say, they don’t.
Be still my heart—his opening message on his website reads:
“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.”
Even though Duane is based in Ohio, and chances are your cat (if you’re reading this) might be stuck elsewhere, that’s okay! You can learn tips from his website that work about 70% of the time—no climbing required. Or, you can even call Duane directly for free advice. And since you’re reading about him here in The Bobcat, and we are free, that’s two free resources in one.
Duane’s TikTok is a literal cornucopia of heartwarming rescues, making it hard to pick just a couple favorites. But I’ll try.
GG was stuck in a tree for eight long days. When the owner tried to rescue her, the poor woman was attacked. Duane arrived, singing Christmas songs to GG as he climbed. Perched nervously out on a high limb, GG meowed back when Duane asked whether she planned to attack him. A snack offering helped break the ice—as it often does in his rescues. GG did nip his finger, but Duane gently stroked her anyway, then deftly prepared his rescue bag (his signature tool). In a matter of moments, the cat was safe inside. “Cat’s in the bag!” is his rallying cry—and nothing sounds sweeter.
"This unknown cat in a despicable pear tree was spotted by a neighbor across the street", Duane informs us, the viewers, as he starts his climb up the tree in full climbing gear. Meows can be heard competing with the sounds of high freezing wind. Duane calls reassuringly to the cat as he climbs higher. The owner appears on the scene and tells Duane the cat has been stuck up there for three days. With the cold wind whipping all around, the cat cries and starts to make her way toward Duane. He offers a snack, and in a daring rescue, he gently grabs the cat and puts her in the bag. Now we hear her name is Stephanie, and Duane informs the owner that Stephanie has told him she wants to be an always-indoor cat. “She never wants to go outside ever again,” he says. “So you guys are gonna make that happen, right?
Tigger, Leon, Casey, Leo, Snow, Manchas, Sidney, Jojo, Lottie, Spartan, Smokey, and Lola is are just a few of the cats who climbed too high and found themselves in a rough place. Some cats who are not rescued do jump and die.
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.
One of the most remarkable things about Duane’s work is that he doesn’t charge for his rescues. In a world where almost every skill seems to come with a price tag, his choice to offer this lifesaving service for free feels almost old-fashioned—in the best way. It sits in a long lineage of people who gave their labor as a gift: early volunteer firefighters who protected their towns without pay, neighbors coming together for barn raisings to help a family rebuild after a fire or storm, community members running soup kitchens or shelters simply because someone had to. Duane’s example even inspired me to offer The Bobcat Gazette for free—because some things, like information and hope, feel too vital to put behind a paywall. All of them, like Duane, operate on a quiet belief that some work is too important to meter out by the hour. Their reward is not a check but the look on a relieved face, a house still standing, a cat—finally—back in the arms of the person who loves them.
