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FREMONT, OHIO -- The Society for the Protection of Animals (S.P.A.) received a call Tuesday morning from a Helena resident who was concerned about a cat who had become stuck in a tree more than 40 feet up in the air. He'd been up there for three days, the caller said.

 

S.P.A. members spent their morning and afternoon attempting to find someone with a bucket truck willing to drive to Helena to help remove this frightened feline from the tree top.

 

Terry McGrady, S.P.A. vice-president, received a return call from Juan Castillo of Northwest Ohio Tree Services, Inc. around 6 p.m. Tuesday evening.  Mr. Castillo said he'd pick up his bucket truck in Fremont and then meet McGrady in Helena.

 

McGrady said several concerned neighborhood adults and children were gathered at the scene when they arrived. Mr. Castillo set up his bucket truck and soon made the 40 plus foot ascent to the top of the tree.

 

"I have never seen anything like it, "Barbara McGrady, S.P.A. president said. "The cat eagerly jump right into Mr. Castillo's arms. Normally, they are very frightened, but this cat was obviously ready to get his four paws on the ground."

 

A neighbor offered Mr. Castillo folded cash for his generosity, and he refused. "Keep it," Castillo said." I was happy to help."

 

A young lady from down the street scooped the large tiger cat into her arms and said she was going to take her cat home. S.P.A. offered to pay to have him neutered.