Lumby man saves Boots

Photo: Contributed

UPDATE 10 A.M.

Boots has been saved.

An avid Castanet reader and animal lover, Ike Burkhart, read the story first thing this morning in Lumby, and without hesitation, jumped in his truck and headed south.

As he drove into Kettle Valley, he was surprised he could actually see poor Boots still up in the tree.

Burkhart says the tree was definitely rickety and it was a little scary, but he had to save Boots.

“Ike climbed the tree and got him!” shares an excited owner Robyn MacIver. “Thank you to everyone for their help and support!”

She says she got several calls from people who had read the story, and she is so grateful Burkhart drove from Lumby and climbed up with little hesitation.

Boots had climbed the rickety tree over three days ago and hadn’t budged, seemingly paralyzed in fear.

The tired and hungry cat is now safely back at home with MacIver and her young children.

ORIGINAL

Boots ain't walking from his lofty perch on top a 80-foot tree in Kettle Valley. 

The well loved three-year-old black tuxedo cat climbed the tree more than two days ago and has yet to come down.

According to owner Robyn MacIver and nearby neighbours, the cat is more than 60 feet in the air in a tree behind the The Highlands development at Kettle Valley.

While many have tried to help, the tree itself is not stable and quite dangerous, as it was burned in the 2003 wildfires and is inside a gully.

The Kelowna Fire Department was called, but MacIver was told they do not respond to these sorts of situations.

One neighbour called the newsroom in hopes someone with a bucket truck of some kind could come to the cat's rescue, but it is unclear if a truck could get to the tree itself.

The neighbour says Boots has been meowing and howling for days, and it is upsetting her young daughter.

MacIver says Boots starting to look for ways down, and they are seeking suggestions from anyone who has them.

“I really hope he just climbs down,” says MacIver.

Photo: Contributed - Robyn MacIve