Tree Rescues
Rope-access retrieval of cats stuck in trees, using arborist-style climbing techniques designed to keep the climber, the cat, and the tree safe.
Climbing-based cat rescue · Northwest Arkansas
When a cat won’t come down, we go up.
Out on a Limb Cat Rescue is a climbing-based nonprofit in formation serving Northwest Arkansas with safe, humane rescue for cats trapped in trees, rooftops, and other hard-to-reach places. Rescues are free for pet owners.
Serving Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, and surrounding Northwest Arkansas communities.
Is a cat stuck right now?
What to do while you wait for help
A frightened cat usually stays put. Following these steps keeps the cat — and you — safer until a trained rescuer can assess the situation.
Fastest: call us
If we can’t answer right away, leave a message or send the details by email or the form — we check both closely.
- Stay calm and do not climb after the cat.
- Do not shake branches, spray water, or attempt risky ladder rescues.
- Keep dogs and crowds away from the area.
- Take a clear photo of the tree or structure if safe.
- Contact us with the location, height estimate, how long the cat has been stuck, and any visible hazards.
Request a Rescue
Tell us what’s happening and we’ll assess whether a safe rescue is possible.
Our mission
“To safely rescue cats in difficult-to-access locations while promoting compassion, responsible pet ownership, and community education through specialized climbing and rescue services.”
Out on a Limb Cat Rescue was started after seeing how difficult it can be for families to find help when their cat is stuck in a tree. While working for a residential tree climbing company, I saw firsthand that fire departments are often unable to respond to these calls, and even tree companies may not always be available. I believe no one should have to pay just to bring their cat home safely, so I wanted to create a service that connects people in need with skilled climbers willing to help.
My hope is that donations will allow us to fairly compensate climbers for their time and expertise while providing rescues at no cost to families, helping protect beloved pets and bring them home safe.
What we do
Specialized rescue services
Every call starts with a safety assessment. We can't promise that every situation is climbable, but we can promise a careful, honest evaluation and a humane approach when a rescue is possible.
Roof & Structure Rescues
Careful retrieval from rooftops, ledges, and other elevated structures — always with the property owner's permission and a safety assessment first.
Difficult Terrain Retrieval
Assistance when a cat is trapped in ravines, bluffs, culverts, or other hard-to-access spots where a careful, equipped approach is needed.
Drone-Assisted ScoutingFuture capability
Planned use of drones to locate cats and evaluate trees or structures before a climb, helping rescues start with better information.
Public Education
Community outreach on preventing stuck-cat emergencies, safe responses when they happen, and responsible pet ownership.
Low-Income Owner AssistanceFuture goal
A planned assistance program so that a family's budget is never the reason a cat stays stranded. Details will be shared as the organization grows.
Why this matters
When a cat is stuck, options are surprisingly thin
Many fire departments no longer perform animal rescues due to policy, staffing, or liability limitations. That often leaves pet owners with unsafe DIY attempts, expensive private calls, or long waits while a frightened cat stays exposed to weather and predators.
Out on a Limb Cat Rescue exists to provide a safer, more humane option — trained climbers, proper equipment, and a process built around the wellbeing of the animal, the rescuer, and the property involved.
Safety first — always
A rescue is only a success if everyone comes down safely
Every rescue decision weighs the safety of the climber, the animal, the property, and the public. If conditions make a climb unsafe, we'll say so honestly and help identify alternatives.
Climbing & rope-access protocols
Rescues follow structured rope-access procedures with redundant anchors, rated equipment, and pre-climb checks.
Personal protective equipment
Helmets, gloves, eye protection, and animal-handling gear are standard on every response.
Animal handling precautions
Frightened cats are handled with humane restraint techniques and secure carriers to minimize stress and injury risk.
Property owner permission
We obtain permission from the property owner before beginning any rescue on private property.
Incident documentation
Each response is documented — conditions, decisions, and outcomes — to support accountability and continuous improvement.
Insurance & liability planning
Appropriate insurance coverage and liability practices are a core part of how the organization is being established.
Join the team
Volunteer with us
You don't have to climb to make rescues happen. Every role below is essential to getting cats down safely and building the organization.
- Most needed
Experienced climbers & arborists
Trained climbers are the heart of every rescue. If you have arborist, rope-access, or technical tree-climbing experience, you’re the volunteer we need most — and we’d love to talk, even if you only have a few hours a month.
Social media & content
Tell rescue stories, manage pages, and grow community awareness.
Fundraising
Help plan campaigns and connect the mission with supporters.
Event help
Represent the rescue at adoption events, fairs, and community gatherings.
Veterinary & animal welfare advisors
Guide animal-care protocols and post-rescue checks.
Tell us how you’d like to help
Have another skill to offer? Choose “something else” below — we’d love to hear about it.
Support the mission
Every rope, carrier, and rescue starts with community support
Out on a Limb Cat Rescue is being built from the ground up. Support from the community may help fund:
- Climbing ropes and safety gear
- Cat carriers and retrieval equipment
- First aid supplies
- Insurance
- Website and emergency communication tools
- Low-income rescue assistance
- Community education materials
Ways to help today
While official channels are being established, the most valuable support is spreading the word, connecting us with potential partners, and reaching out about equipment or in-kind donations.
Out on a Limb Cat Rescue is currently being developed as a nonprofit organization. Donation language and tax-deductibility details will be updated once official status is confirmed.
Stronger together
Partner with us
Specialized rescue works best as a network. We're building relationships across Northwest Arkansas so that every stuck cat has a clear path from 'spotted' to 'safe at home.'
- Veterinarians
- Animal shelters
- Arborists & tree service companies
- Outdoor retailers
- Pet stores
- Municipal animal services
- Local businesses & sponsors
About & vision
Where this is headed
Out on a Limb Cat Rescue aims to become the trusted specialized cat rescue organization for Northwest Arkansas — the name people know to call when a cat is somewhere it can't get down from on its own.
As the organization grows, we plan to expand into:
- Regional rescue support beyond Northwest Arkansas
- Public education programs
- Drone-assisted pet searches
- Disaster-response partnerships
- Technical rescue education
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Should I call the fire department first?
In some areas, emergency services may not respond to animal rescue calls. If the cat is near power lines, traffic, or another immediate public safety hazard, contact local authorities first.
Can every cat be rescued?
Not every situation is safe to climb. Each rescue must be evaluated based on height, tree condition, weather, nearby utilities, property access, and the cat's condition.
What should I do while waiting?
Keep the area quiet, keep dogs and crowds away, do not attempt to climb, and monitor the cat from a safe distance.
Do you charge for rescues?
No — rescues are intended to always be free for pet owners. The organization is being built to run on donations, sponsorships, and community support, which go toward supporting the climbers who perform rescues and advancing the mission of the nonprofit in formation.
Are you a shelter?
No. Out on a Limb Cat Rescue is intended to be a field-response organization focused on elevated and hard-to-access rescues, not a shelter or adoption facility.
Help build Northwest Arkansas’ specialized aerial cat rescue network.
Whether you need help, want to volunteer, or believe in the mission, Out on a Limb Cat Rescue is being built to serve pets and people when there are no easy options.