Cat Rescued From Tree In Delaware County Wednesday Morning

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, PA – It was a scene out of a Normal Rockwell painting Wednesday morning at a Middletown Township home, as a kitten was rescued from a tall tree by firefighters ahead of a harsh winter storm set to hit the Philadelphia region.

Linda Ciavarelli's 7-month-old kitten Moe was discovered to have gotten out of the family's home in Middletown Township Tuesday night. The Ciavarelli family then fond little Moe stuck up in a tree in their yard.

"It was dark and rainy," Ciavarelli told Patch. "We tried to get him down and couldn't safely do it."

Ciavarelli said she looked online for help and saw some sources say Moe would likely make his own way down, so they played the waiting game with the kitten, who the family adopted from the Providence Animal Center.

However, Moe did not come down and instead climbed higher into the tree.

By about 7:50 a.m. Wednesday, March 7, Ciavarelli posted to Facebook asking for help as the looming nor'easter had the family very concerned for Moe's safety while he was stuck in the tree.

While many community members and residents of nearby areas chimed in to help, it was former Middletown Fire Chief Chip Lillie who set off the chain of events to get Moe down.

Lillie saw Ciavarelli's post, called Middletown Township Council Chairman Mark Kirchgasser, who then called Rocky Run Fire Chief William Cairns.

Ciavarelli said Cairns was at her home in 10 minutes to assess the scene.

"He saw the cat and said he'd be back in about 30 minutes," Ciavarelli said.

She then went to the nearby Wawa to get firefighters coffee for their efforts and when she got to her home, the firefighters were already gearing up to save Moe by about 9:45 a.m.

Cairns told Patch he backed the fire company's ladder truck to the tree and firefighters grabbed a 35-foot ladder.

Volunteer firefighter Pat Adams climbed up the ladder and brought Moe safely to ground level.

"I'm overwhelmed by the support," Ciavarelli said. She thanked the community for their support and the fire company.

"It's really great to see community of people who care about kitty who got stuck in tree," she said. "Maybe because it was a snowy day, people are off work and school and were weighing in.

Moe's rescue was much needed for the Ciavarelli, as they recently lost a 3 year old cat suddenly after a surprise diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis which compromises cats' immune systems.

Cairns said the fire company gets about one call each year for a cat stuck in a tree.

Well done, Rocky Run Fire Company!

Image via Linda Ciavarelli, used with permission