Week for fearful cat stuck in tree ends in a blast

updated 2:52 p.m. ET Sept. 17, 2007

YONKERS, N.Y. - A fearful feline that was stuck in a tree for a week, clinging to branches several stories high, was finally blasted to safety with a high-pressure fire hose.

Volunteers with an outstretched sheet made the save as the cat — soaked and hungry but unharmed — was hosed out of the tree by firefighters Sunday night.

“Everyone was cheering,” said artist and animal rescuer Greg Speirs, who was among about 50 people assembled beneath the willow tree.

The cat had previously ignored people who banged cans of cat food and climbed ladders that were just out of reach. It took two shots with the hose to do the trick.

“As soon as the cat landed it jumped out and ran into the woods,” Speirs said Monday.

“Some kids helped us bring the cat back, and a man said he would adopt the cat right on the spot,” Speirs said. “You can’t come up with a nicer ending than that.”

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