During the freezing weather I heard a cat crying in the night, when I got up (6am) - I found the source of all the noise - the poor thing was stuck way up in the huge Chestnut tree in next doors garden - higher than our house roof height.

He was extremely distressed and i tried to coax him down but the nearest branches were way out of reach - God knows how he got up there! It wasnt next doors cat and they just shrugged and headed off to work.

I called Fire Brigade who said they dont do cat rescues anymore, I tried our local RSPCA but they dont answer phones til after 11am - considering he had been up there all night in freezing conditions I didnt want to leave it any longer as he'd gone totally quiet by now. I looked on net for advice they all said just to leave it and it will come down eventually but it was -7 and by now the magpies were starting to have a peck at him.

Some very friendly local builders helped out by shinning up a ladder at great risk - they said not to tell their boss - H&S and all that (I cant stress how high it was plus with icy conditions very dangerous - took me much eyelid battering to persuade them ) Anyway they eventually managed to grab him and bring him down.

Well the poor thing was shaking and crying. He had no collar so I took him inside to get warm and gave him some chicken and water. I thought he would just head straight for home so after he had warmed up and calmed down I put him back outside - but he just yowled outside the door for ages, then ended up stuck up on our roof and cried to get down from there! We ended up having to climb up and get him!

It was clear he wasnt leaving so we then took him to the vets to see if he was chipped so we could trace his owner - luckily he was and the vet said he would contact the owner to pass on our details - in the meantime he came back home with us and proper made himself at home - having a good mooch round and a sleep on our bed - curled up on our knees in front of fire etc.

Anyway, the owner eventually called - they only lived a couple of streets away but they were out of the country. Their neighbour had been popping in and feeding the cat which had escaped and been missing for a few days. She hadnt had him very long. Their neighbour then came round to take him back to an empty house and would not be letting him out til she was back)

I did offer to look after him til owner got back from abroad but she very sniffily said no thanks. (totally understand in a way - she didnt want him to think this is his new home)

But - I am feeling a bit deflated now - the owner never even said thanks for rescuing him, nor did she contact us again. (It's not like we were trying to steal her cat - I am allergic anyway, plus we have rabbits and an asthmatic child)

I took a box of Roses round for the builders who helped - and it wasnt even my cat - or my tree!!! Guess I just wanted her to feel a bit more grateful - the cat is extremely beautiful and very affectionate - if it was mine I would have been very thankful to get him back.

What do you think? Am I expecting too much? Guess I just wanted a call or something to let me know how he is getting on and a thank you would have been nice (though I suppose I should just be happy that I helped him get back home safe).

Well firstly, well done you for doing it. I'm sure the cat would thank you if he could.

Also, you aren't expecting too much for at least a thanks. To give the benefit of the doubt to the woman maybe she was worried about the cat and what the owner would do if/ when they found out. I'd bet she didn't even tell the owner. I know if that was my cat I'd be straight round to say how grateful I was.

Or she was just a right cow, lol!

Seriously though, you did a good thing.

No, it was the owner who contacted me from abroad to say the neighbour would be round to take it back to her house. I said about him having no collar and she said he has done tree climbing before and was worried about him getting strangled. She was a bit off with me really and I dont know why considering how much trouble I'd gone to on her pets behalf!

Ah, sorry, I misunderstood.

Well, thats not on at all. People like that drive me mad.

You would have my undying gratitude for having done what you did if it had been my cat.

Well done you are a lovely person. Just take comfort from the fact that the cat made himself at home and therefore gave you his thanks, and it is just unfortunate that he belongs to an ignorant cow!!!

Aw thanks wildpumpkin, he was very grateful and loved it here - I would have kept him in a heartbeat, he's the most beautiful affectionate creature - he even didnt mind being fussed by my 8 year old - and actively encouraged it - most cats dont really like kids but he followed my son around and played with him loads - but he obviously belonged to someone who had taken very good care of him and I wanted to return him to where he belonged - almost wish I hadnt now (not really!!)

You did a wonderful thing, lozenger.

It's possible the owner's attitude was born out of embarrassment for all the hassle caused, annoyance at being disturbed on holiday and misplaced anger towards at the cat.

Many people are basically selfish and cats should be expected to look after themselves while we go on holiday, more or less, right?

lozenger, whether the owners appreciate what you did or not, the cat most certainly did and thats what matters the most. He was in a tricky situation and you saved him. You did a wonderful thing.
Some people are ungrateful, and thats their cross to bear so don't let it make you feel bad.

It is a bit mean of the owners not to have been in touch but thats some people for you. Are you sure they have returned from their trip?

You should feel good about what you done.