Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Rescues Cat!

By Hope Bidegainberry on July 20, 2018

An adult male cat was rescued from the top of a utility pole in San Bruno on July 18 thanks to a team effort of the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (PHS/SPCA), PG&E and the San Bruno Fire Department.

“We received a call on July 18 from a concerned neighbor who said the cat had been stuck on the pole for three days and unable to climb down,” said PHS/SPCA Communications Manager Buffy Martin Tarbox.  “Our rescue staff responded immediately to assist the cat.  In route to help the cat, we requested the assistance of PG&E and the San Bruno Fire Department.”

The three agencies gathered at the scene on the 2000 block of Trenton Drive in San Bruno.  PG&E was able to reach the cat via a portable ladder and then climbing up the pole.  The cat was then brought down from the pole and handed over to PHS/SPCA.

“Other than being dehydrated and very hungry, the cat was in good health,” according to Tarbox.  “Unfortunately he wasn’t wearing a collar nor is he microchipped and no missing animal reports for similar looking cats have been filed with us.  We estimate he’s about five years old and very friendly, so we believe he’s someone’s cat.  Our hope is that we can reunite him with his family.”

Cats are agile climbers, but the physiology of their claws makes it difficult for them to climb back down.  A cat’s claws curve toward the back, which works well for climbing up.  But when they attempt to climb down, those claws point upwards, making it difficult to secure them and gives the cat the feeling that he will fall. Often, the cat needs human intervention to get back down on the ground.