Katzennotfall in Ratingen: Fire brigade saves Misha from the fireplace!

Katzennotfall in Ratingen: Fire brigade saves Misha from the fireplace!

On the evening of April 14, 2025, the Ratingen fire brigade was alerted to an unusual animal rescue operation. At 7:00 p.m., a cat called "Misha" was in a precarious situation: she had initially hid on a roof and then hid under the chimney cover before climbing into the chimney tube. Since the dismantling of the chimney cover was not sufficient to free "Misha", the situation became increasingly complicated, like FireWorld

The rescuers opened the fireplace from the apartment side with heavy tools because there were no revision openings. An endoscope camera was also used during the entire almost 3.5 hours of rescue operation to monitor the cat in the tight tube. Finally, the emergency services managed to free "Misha". But during the operation, a firefighter was bitten by the cat and had to go to the hospital for inpatient treatment, which also illustrates the challenges of animal rescue.

peculiarities of animal rescue

animal rescues are often a demanding challenge for the fire brigade. These missions range from the rescue of injured animals to actions such as "cat on the tree". Waiting for the self -rescue of the animals is often recommended, but not all situations allow this. In cases like this, such as Feuerwehr-UB , quick action is required. Animals in danger, such as cats, can go into dangerous layers and often require an immediate use of the fire brigade.

The operations are usually free of charge if they serve to avert liver risk in animals. For other missions, for example when the animals are freed from less threatening situations, fees can be charged to the owners. With typical inserts, such as "cat on the tree", it is recommended to wait a few days because many cats come down independently. Otherwise, the fire brigade moves out with a special stroller that is often also used for human rescues.

critical aspects in animal rescues

The rescuers often face further challenges when saving small animals and cats. A report by hfu nord shows that accidents often occur and the emergency services can suffer bite and scratch violations. Katzen bites are particularly serious because they can cause deep punctures through which germs get into the tissue. Emergency services should therefore take appropriate protective measures, such as wearing special gloves.

Overall, these missions illustrate the versatility and the risks of dealing with animals. Firefighters not only have to adapt to different animal species, but also react to their unpredictable behavior. Training and exercises in dealing with animals are recommended to ensure the safety of the rescuers and animals. Help of veterinarians can also be required to calm or care for the rescued animals.