VARS - Volunteer Animal Retrieval Specialists

UPDATE: We have sourced a local volunteer who will be assisting with rehoming efforts for this cat if an owner cannot be identified. We are no longer seeking placement assistance from the community at this time, but appreciate everyone who has reached out and shared resources.

We are currently assisting with a cat retrieval in Stockton and are seeking placement options for the cat once it is safely recovered.

The cat has been stranded in a tree at Panella Park since yesterday morning. The cat is described as an adult white, fluffy cat and is known to residents in the neighborhood, but we are not aware of an owner at this time. The local fire department has already been contacted and declined to perform the retrieval.

In an effort to secure placement for the cat, we have already contacted multiple local agencies and organizations:

• City of Stockton Animal Services Center — We were advised that intake would only be available if the cat was injured.
• San Joaquin County Animal Control — We were advised that they were unable to assist with placement in this situation and referred us back to the City of Stockton Animal Services Center.
• Delta Humane Society — We were advised that they are currently at capacity and unable to accept additional cats.
• Pets & Pals Animal Shelter (Lathrop) — We were advised that they are also currently at capacity.

VARS - Volunteer Animal Retrieval Specialists specializes in retrieving animals from trees and other inaccessible locations. We are not equipped or staffed to provide long-term housing, veterinary care, or placement services after an animal has been recovered.

As part of our standard procedure, once the cat is safely down, we will canvass the surrounding neighborhood and conduct door-to-door inquiries in an effort to identify and locate any owner who may be searching for the cat.

At this time, we are looking for:

• Information on any nonprofit rescue organizations that may have available space for an adult cat.
• An individual who may be interested in fostering or adopting the cat if no owner can be located and no rescue placement can be found.

If anyone in the area recognizes this cat or knows who the owner may be, please contact us as soon as possible.

If you know of a rescue organization that may be able to help, or if you may be interested in providing a home for this cat, please comment below or contact us directly.

Please share this post with Stockton-area cat lovers and rescue groups. The more people who see it, the better our chances of finding a safe outcome for this cat.

Thank you for helping us work toward a safe outcome for this cat.

We were called out to Ceres today to rescue Mina, a cute little black kitty who had been missing for the past couple of days. She was eventually located high up in a tree in a neighbor’s backyard, and her mom began searching for help to safely bring her down.

Before finding us, Mina’s mom contacted police non emergency, who referred her to animal services/animal control. She was then informed by the answering service that “a cat in a tree is not on the approved emergency list” and that they could not respond. She was later referred to County Wildlife, but was unable to reach anyone there. After continuing to search for help, she posted in the CCA - Ceres Community Awareness Facebook group, where she was referred to VARS - Volunteer Animal Retrieval Specialists.

After obtaining permission to enter the property, Mina was safely brought back down and reunited with her family. We’re told she will now be staying indoors permanently.

Unfortunately, we were not able to obtain permission to photograph or video the retrieval process itself, so the only photo we have is of Mina safely back home on the ground in her home.

If you’d like to support retrievals like this, please consider donating or sharing our organization to help spread awareness. Spreading awareness is often the first step in reducing the time, stress, and effort needed for families to find us and get help in the first place.

www.VARSca.com

Update for the Louis Park retrieval: the kitten is safely down from the tree and is now on the way to finally being indoors and cared for.

Thank you to the individual who reached out for help, Ryan Shelly with Public Works for allowing access to the tree, and ACT Spay/Neuter Clinic for agreeing to take this little one in.

We’re very happy this rescue had a safe outcome!

If you’d like to support retrievals like this, visit our website to donate or share to spread awareness.

www.VARSca.com

Oakdale update, Merlin is down safely!

This handsome 3 year old boy is officially out of the tree and back with his family after quite the stressful adventure. He seemed very happy to finally have all four paws back on the ground.

Thank you everyone for the support and kind thoughts for Merlin tonight.

If you’d like to support retrievals like this, visit our website to donate or share to spread awareness.

www.VARSca.com