Panther, the black cat, climbed a 36-foot light pole in Aurora, Colorado. According to a local radio station, The Drive Tucson, residents were concerned the cat was an actual panther.
“Most people calmed down when it was revealed that Panther was really a black cat NAMED Panther! Just LOOKED like an actual panther,” the station wrote on Facebook.
In the photos, you can see this tiny panther was in a desperate situation, perched so high in the air. Although cats have no problem climbing, it’s the coming back down part that’s always the trick.
Images via Philip B. Poston/Sentinel Colorado
Unless you are lucky enough to have access to a service specializing in rescuing cats from on high, the standard response from authorities can often be very frustrating for cat lovers. Standard practice for many city departments is to recommend a “just wait” approach to allow the cat to come back down on its own.
However, Panther simply couldn’t come down, staying on the pole for days as the frustrated neighbors and cat’s owners tried everything they could think of.
Neighbors Try to Save Panther for Days
Back on the ground, neighbors suggested how they might tempt Panther to come back down to Earth. Others say they called everyone to get help, Aurora Fire Department, Aurora animal control, Xcel Energy, and even local businesses. But the general consensus was the cat would just need more time.
“Everyone says they can’t do anything,” said resident Jessica Meadows.
According to a power company official, most cats come back down eventually.
“Happily, the vast majority of cats on power poles make their way back down on their own without help or injury,” according to the Sangre de Cristo Electric Association. “The difficulty for pet owners can be waiting for the cat to come down, which can take minutes to hours to days. Understandably, people who love their pets grow increasingly worried about their animal as time goes by, but patience and communication with… line workers is key to a good resolution to the issue.”
However, Panther was still there by Friday, and the area’s first snow of the season was falling. Overnight, temperatures had dropped to 25 degrees, according to the Sentinel.
“Everybody’s been just like, ‘put food down and it’ll come down eventually,'” said Meadows. “That’s not going to happen.”
Then, the story made it to the Sentinel and Aurora Councilmember Curtis Gardner. After he put in a council request, Aurora firefighters arrived Friday afternoon to end “the cold misery of Panther,” as the Sentinel put it.
According to an Aurora Fire Department spokesperson, they had only learned about Panther’s plight “just before noon on Friday.”
“It took the entire community asking for help to rescue Panther, and her momma is so relieved to have her home,” stated a woman on Twitter.
Panther Saved by the Firefighters
Fortunately, Panther was ready to get in the pet carrier when Aurora firefighters climbed the ladder to reach him. As you can see in the video shared to Twitter below, there was much meowing, but two firefighters managed to bring the frightened cat safely to the ground.
Battalion Chief Dave Campbell hands Panther to Kimberly Medina, Dec. 10, 2021. Images via Philip B. Poston/Sentinel Colorado
Aurora Fire Rescue shared a video of the rescue on Twitter:
“Crews successfully removed a cat from a top a light pole near 17th Ave and Jasper St. The cat named “Pantera” was reunited with its family. No further updates.”
Importantly, officials warn not to try to climb any power poles.
Now, one of Panther’s owners, Kimberly Medina, says he will be an indoor cat from now on.
