In Columbus, Ohio, there’s one man who rarely says no to a cat in trouble. His name is Duane Hook, and he runs Getmeowtahere – Cat in a Tree Rescue, a small service built from big compassion.
When most people spot a cat high in a tree, they reach for their phones to take a picture. Duane reaches for his climbing gear.
A Call for Help From the Trees
One chilly afternoon, Duane received a call that would test both his patience and his bravery. The caller, a woman named Alexandria, sounded worried.
Her cat, Spice, had climbed up a tall tree in front of their house and hadn’t come down for three days.
The family had tried coaxing her with treats and gentle voices, but the stubborn little cat stayed firmly wedged among the branches.
With every hour that passed, Alexandria grew more desperate.
When Duane arrived, the scene was quiet except for the faint meows drifting from above. Spice’s golden eyes peeked down through the leaves, but she wasn’t ready to trust anyone yet.
Meeting the Cat Who Lived Up to Her Name
Duane secured his ropes, checked his harness, and started climbing.
His hands moved with the confidence of someone who’s done this hundreds of times before — yet this rescue would prove to be anything but routine.
As he reached the top, Duane finally spotted Spice’s hiding place — a hollow pocket in the trunk. It was dark, narrow, and deep enough to make any cat feel trapped.
He spoke softly, hoping his calm voice would ease her fear. But Spice had other ideas.
She hissed, swatted, and made it clear she didn’t want anyone near her. Duane paused, realizing that forcing her out could make things worse.
The goal was always to bring animals down safely, never to frighten them.
When Alexandria, watching from below, mentioned she believed Spice would come to her if she could just get close enough, Duane didn’t hesitate.
He looked down, nodded, and began helping her prepare for something most cat owners would never dare to try — a climb up the very same tree.
A Rescue That Became a Team Effort
Wearing Duane’s spare harness, Alexandria began her careful ascent. Every step she took was slow and deliberate. Spice’s cries grew louder, not in fear but in recognition.
When Alexandria finally reached the hollow, she called her cat’s name in a soft, trembling voice.
In that instant, something changed. The frightened little cat leaned forward, stretched out a paw, and allowed herself to be lifted into her mother’s arms.
From the ground, Duane smiled. “It was her bravery that made the rescue possible,” he later said. “If I’d reached into that space, I might’ve been covered in scratches.
But when she called her cat, it was pure trust.”
Back on solid ground, Alexandria hugged Spice close, tears mixing with laughter. Duane packed up his ropes, grateful to have witnessed a rescue that ended not just with safety, but with love.
For him, every mission is different, but this one reminded him that sometimes the best rescuer is the person who loves the animal most.
Spice, back home and warm, seemed a little wiser after her adventure. Maybe next time she’ll think twice before climbing so high — but then again, cats like her always keep life interesting.
And thanks to people like Duane Hook, even the spiciest of felines have a second chance to make it safely home.