Feline trapped on rooftop three stories up in Dorchester

The Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Rescue Services Department tallied its first cat rescue of 2019 Thursday afternoon, as a three-year-old male cat named Gadget managed to sneak out of his home on Wednesday and found his way atop a roof along Gaston Street in Dorchester, MA.

The rescue had a high degree of difficulty, as the cat was on a shingled area approximately two feet wide just below the jutting roof. Agents ascended the fire escape, however there was still a three-foot gap between where the cat was and the fire escape.

ARL Rescue Services arrives on-scene along Gaston Street in Dorcester, MA.

Three-year-old Gadget snuck out of the house and was trapped three floors up!

A fire escape was the staging area for the rescue attempt.

It was a tight space for the cat, giving the rescue a high-degree of difficulty.

Attempts to net and snare the cat proved fruitless given the space constraints.

Gadget's owner arrives with his favorite food!

With a narrow board extended from the fire escape to the ledge, Gadget's owner pleads for him to summon his bravery.

Testing the waters.

Gadget's bravery shines through, walking the tight rope to safety!

Off the roof and heading home.

A happy and hungry reunion!

Attempts using nets and hook poles proved to be unsuccessful, however a narrow board placed from the fire escape to the shingled area turned out to be the best approach – particularly when Gadget’s owners came to the scene after leaving work.

Stephanie Mitchell, Gadget’s owner, conquered her fear of heights and climbed the fire escape with the cat’s favorite food. Slowly but surely the cat gained enough confidence to make it across the board and into the waiting hands of ARL Rescue Agents.

Gadget was hungry and scared, but was not injured during his adventure. Upon getting the cat home Mitchell replied “I’m so grateful and so happy to have Gadget back home!”

Answering the Call

ARL is the only animal welfare organization in Massachusetts with a dedicated technical rescue department and rescues thousands of animals annually, including more than 200 cats being trapped in trees and other precarious places.