In Kent, a missing cat spent 3 days 50 feet up a tree, then a tree surgeon brought him home

After being missing for more than two weeks, a cat named Momo spent roughly 72 hours stranded around 50 feet up a sycamore tree in Kent, England, before a tree surgeon retrieved him safely.

For Momo's family, the rescue brought an end to a stressful search. For arborist Connor Carey, it became another strange rescue in a growing list of similar situations.

Here's what to know

The missing cat was found at Maidstone's Army barracks when a neighbor heard meowing coming from the tree. Momo had initially disappeared on Sept. 13, KentOnline reported.

Carey, who owns Maidstone Tree Surgeons, said Momo was stuck about 50 to 55 feet above the ground, per KentOnline.

By the time Carey got involved, earlier rescue attempts had not worked. He said equipment at the barracks could not reach Momo, and Kent Fire and Rescue Service had also been called out.

According to Kent Fire and Rescue Service, crews were sent at 1:20 p.m. on Sept. 26 and tried using reach-and-rescue poles, but "the animal climbed to a higher position," per KentOnline.

The spokesperson also said that "due to the location of the tree, a height vehicle could not be operated," and that after a further assessment on Sept. 27, "concerns were raised about structural stability."

Carey said reaching the cat took about 15 minutes, and bringing him down took another 20. When he got to Momo, the animal was "very shaken, very nervous, meowing a lot and calling a lot."

More background

Carey said the sycamore itself made the job especially risky. He described it as "really, really snappy," meaning the branches could give way under pressure as both he and the cat moved higher into the tree.

That risk, Carey said, was the issue he worried about most during the climb.

"Every single time we went a little bit higher, it got more and more sketchy because these branches could break at any point," he said.

Carey said Momo's physical condition added urgency. Although the owners had thought of him as a fairly plump cat, he seemed to have slimmed down by the time he was rescued and was likely dehydrated and exhausted after about 72 hours in the tree.

Carey said the owner was overwhelmed to get him back. "He was relieved and so happy to have him back. I think he got to the point where he thought, 'Well, the cat's probably just going to fall.' I guess it was a relief to have him down safely."

What's being done?

To get close enough, Carey moved out onto thinner limbs, used one branch to help steady Momo, and cut away smaller branches that were in the way.

Once he had room to grab him, Carey said, "I literally scruffed him like their mum would and stuffed him in a bag." He acknowledged that the method may sound rough, but said securing the cat quickly was the safest choice once he was within reach.

Drawing on about 13 years in tree surgery, Carey said he plans climbs in advance and looks for hazards such as weak unions, cavities, and dead wood before leaving the ground.

He said he charged Momo's family because the rescue took him away from an ongoing job and his crew, and added that cat retrievals are now an official part of his business.

"Cat rescue is a service that I provide," Carey said.

Carey shared the update many pet owners would want to hear: "Momo is well. He's eating, drinking, and I think he's very happy to be home. I can't imagine that he's going to spend much time up trees in the future."

Where can I learn more?

Momo's rescue is one of many cases involving cats stranded in trees or other risky spots. Other recent rescues include firefighters bringing pets down from high branches, a woman and her cat being lowered to safety, and families being reunited with cats found in perilous situations.

• In Beaufort, N.C., firefighters brought cat Johnny Cash down after he was stranded high in a tree.

• Colorado Springs firefighters lowered both cat and owner after the owner climbed 50 feet into a tree.

• A rescuer hearing cries in the woods found a kitten trapped in a tree.

• In Galleywood, England, an indoor cat survived a 15-mile trip under a car.

• A rescued British shorthair became a playful, cocky cat with his new dad.

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