A Susanville woman, Chelsea Woods, stood in her backyard, hearing faint meows she assumed were coming from a neighbor’s shed. Little did she know, her cat, Moose, was actually trapped 120 feet up a towering pine tree, sparking a nearly two-week rescue effort that brought the entire community together.
It all began when Woods heard meowing that she believed was coming from a neighbor’s shed. After searching for the source, she realized it was her cat Moose, stranded high in a tree. Her neighbor informed her that their dog had chased Moose up the tree earlier that morning.
Woods took to Facebook, pleading for help. A friend, Rollie Emerson, made the first attempt, climbing 20 feet up the tree to rescue Moose, but the scared cat only climbed higher. The Susanville Fire Department soon arrived to assist, but the rescue proved difficult due to the tree’s location between four homes and its branches starting 20 feet above the ground.
Days passed, and Moose remained trapped without food or water. Desperate, Woods continued to ask for help online. William Lee from MW Tree Service tried to help, but Moose climbed even higher. Friends Vicki Chandler from Cowboy 911, Shay Moore, and Katie Jo Hansson also made several attempts, but with no success. Moose had now climbed to 100 feet, her meows growing fainter.
After 13 days of failed attempts, hope finally arrived. Paul Konhke, owner of RC Tree Service, sent three of his workers, including lineman Zed, to assist. Zed scaled the towering 120-foot pine, carefully tipping a branch and managing to scoop Moose into a carrier.
Upon returning to the ground, Moose was happily reunited with Chelsea Woods. Although dehydrated and starving, Moose showed no serious signs of illness after her ordeal.
Woods said she is incredibly grateful to the Susanville community for their support in rescuing her cherished cat. Moose has remained by her side ever since.
Photos provided with permission from Chelsea Woods
