Cat Up A Tree? Call Marc, For Free...

"Trees are nice to look at. But I wouldn't want to get stuck in one." Back in time, when things were less hectic, local municipalities' budgets weren't strained, and emergency workers didn't have to worry about things like terrorist bombs and anthrax scares, your local fire department might send out the brigade to save a puddy up a tree. In the brave, new world that is today, though, there's not enough resources. And while many fire departments do respond to animals in extreme peril, many just don't have the resources to respond to cats in trees. "Mommy bought us a nice, indoor cat tree. It's even got seats. Neat-o!" What's more, rescuing a cat from a tree isn't really something just anybody can do. Animal shelters, both city and private, don't have the manpower or the knowledge to extract high climbing puddies. Marc Matthews can, though. As owner of Connecticut Tree Care in New Haven, he obviously has the experience. Indeed, he's already rescued a bunch of cats from trees. Then, too, Matthews also has the heart. He doesn't charge for the service. He saves the puddies for free. In an artcle in the New Haven Register, Matthews explained his reasoning.... He can't see leaving the cats in danger when he has the skill to rescue them. "Trees are okay. But I'd rather look at life from the back of the couch." The article reports one recent incident where Matthews not only saved the day, but also demonstrated his generosity. Seems a woman who saw a cat mewing in a tree called the local shelter, which, in turn, called Matthews. When he rescued the cat, the woman gave him $20. Matthew handed it over to a shelter worker who came to retrieve the cat. Who says you can't find a nice guy these days? If you're in the Connecticut area and have a cat-in-a-tree situation, feel free to call Matthews at 812-0555. And if you've ever had a cat-in-the-tree scenario, and want to share, email me stories@Petside.com Subject: "Cat in a Tree."