Cats just love sitting on ledges in a window or out on a balcony. Lazily basking in the sun has to be one of their favorite past-times. Unfortunately, sometimes sitting out on an open ledge can lead to a crisis. And that’s exactly what happened to this beautiful girl who was playing with her brother one minute and found herself out on a window ledge the next.
Cat Gets Stuck on Neighbor’s Window Ledge
Images via Facebook/Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
This beautiful black and white kitty was having a good ol’ time playing with her brother on their balcony. That is until something went very wrong and she was found sitting outside on a neighbor’s window ledge!
The cat’s mom could not access the window, so she was helpless to save her. That’s when the kitty’s mom called Alexandria’s Animal Services for help. According to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s Facebook page:
“Unfortunately, because no one was home, there was no access to the window.”
Animal Services to the rescue! Arriving at the scene were Officer Scott Valdovinos and his trainee, Jennifer Yang. They surveyed the situation with their Chief Officer, Tony Rankin. Thankfully the team quickly devised a plan to help save the stranded and terrified kitty. On the ground, Yang and Valdovinos held a blanket in case the tuxedo floof fell from the narrow perch. Rankin tried to reach her from the balcony and pull her to safety.
Heroes Come to the Rescue
We know cats to always land on their feet right? But when it’s a very high ledge, who knows what could happen!? Point in fact, when this kitty tried walking to reach Officer Rankin, she slipped and fell off the ledge! Luckily Officers Yang and Valdovinos were waiting at the bottom with the blanket. (8 lives to go, kitty, stay safe!)
Chief Rankin and Officer Yang via Facebook
The kitty landed softly in the blanket and was no worse for wear. Just in case though, Rankin took the kitty and her mom to the local animal hospital to have her checked over for any potential injuries. It turns out the kitty was just fine after her ordeal.
“Even though the cat appeared to be unharmed, Chief Rankin helped her mom transport her to the animal hospital to make sure she was completely fine – and she was! Our officers were glad they could be part of a successful end to a scary situation. I think most of the story was captured in our post, but I was also very impressed that, while our team checked out the cat onsite and she seemed to be fine, the owner didn’t have a car, and so Chief Rankin drove the owner and the cat to an emergency ER to make sure she was safe and healthy – which she was,” shared AWLA Alexandria.
What a purr-fectly happy ending!
How Can I Cat-Proof My Balcony?
“Michelangelo on window ledge.” Photo courtesy of Shaina Lucas.
There are many ways to cat-proof your balcony so this same situation doesn’t happen to you and your kitty. One option is to build a catio for your cat. These are commonly built into windows, so your cat is safe to be “outside” but still within the confines of the home. You can also install netting around your balcony, so if a kitty escapes, they won’t be able to leave the balcony.
Catio via Adventure Cats, James Beaton
An easy option for those who have first-floor apartments or patios would be to wrap light bulbs around the railings and roof. It may work to discourage some cats from getting close to the ledges but won’t work for more adventurous cats (supervision required). However, those higher up in the building should work on a fully cat-proof catio.
Speaking of adventurous cats, here’s a look back at the outdoor space created for Cole, Marm, Jugg and Zig Zag! (2019):
