After five days, cat rescued from Iowa City tree

A cat stuck in an Iowa City tree for five days has been safely rescued by some good Samaritans.

Misha Goodman, director of Animal Services in Iowa City, said she first learned about the cat in the tree last Thursday.

"There were a number of efforts made to get the cat down," Goodman said.

Employees at the Lasansky Gallery, 703 S. Clinton St., said numerous people stopped by their business to tell them about the cat, which remained in the tree until around noon Monday.

Saving the feline was a joint effort between a number of local businesses, witnesses said. Jeff Waite and Michael Matthess were ultimately the ones who got into a cherry picker and pulled the cat out of the tree. In an email, Matthess said he rented the cherry picker from Aero Rental in Iowa City, who didn't charge him for the use.

The cat was taken from the tree to the animal shelter, where it will be looked at by staff.  Goodman said it will then be taken to a local veterinarian for more testing.  Its condition at this time is unknown.