A New Jersey arborist has become an unlikely internet hero thanks to a very specific skill: climbing trees to rescue stranded cats — completely free of charge.
Steven Murrow, who runs Tesla Tree Service in New Jersey, is a professional arborist known on social media for using his tree-climbing expertise to save cats that end up stuck high in trees. Over the years, Murrow has rescued more than 100 cats, sometimes climbing more than 100 feet into the air to reach them — places even local fire departments can’t always access.
In one recent rescue that caught people’s attention online, Murrow climbed a tall pine tree to help an orange cat named Biscuit that had gotten stuck high above the ground. The nervous cat could be heard meowing loudly while Murrow carefully worked his way up the tree.
Once he reached Biscuit, Murrow patiently tried to coax the frightened cat closer using a treat. At first, the plan didn’t work, as the scared cat hesitated to move.
Eventually, Murrow slipped on a pair of heavy-duty gloves and carefully grabbed Biscuit before the cat could climb any higher.
With the cat safely secured, he began the slow and careful climb back down the tree. Biscuit was then placed safely inside a cat carrier attached to Murrow’s side as he descended.
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For Murrow, rescues like this are all part of the job — even though he never charges the worried pet owners for his help.
Many viewers online were stunned to learn that Murrow offers the service for free and quickly flooded the comments with praise.
“I can’t believe this is a free service. You are going to heaven for sure, sir!” one commenter wrote.
Another added, “So happy there are good people out there doing kind things. True animal lover.”
Others couldn’t help but laugh at parts of the rescue video.
One viewer joked about Murrow’s comment that the cat was finally “in the bag,” while another admitted the moment Murrow slipped slightly during the climb nearly gave them a heart attack.
Some commenters even wondered why the rescue had taken several days before help was called.
And of course, a few people joked that Biscuit might not have learned his lesson.
Murrow chimed in on the discussion, saying that while some cats do end up stuck again, most of them learn very quickly not to climb quite so high the next time.