Rescue cats: soon to be seen on Scotland's mountains?
The role of animals in mountain rescue is well documented, with Search and Rescue Dogs Association members in many teams helping cut the time spent searching for outdoor enthusiasts in distress.
Thanks to the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team for bringing to our attention a new use of four-legged friends aiding their human buddies: the rescue cat.
The Canadian Avalanche Rescue Cat Association has a video showing how these sometimes reluctant feline friends are helping ski patrols in British Columbia.
The organisation said: “CARCA has been hard at work since Steve Ruskay first decided to stand up to the dog-dominated establishment.
“We now have teams on four continents and coverage in most of the major mountain ranges with more teams being activated as fast as we can train them. With demand for feline rescue teams at an all-time high we thought it would be a good time to look back at our humble beginnings and remind ourselves what is possible when you combine vision and passion.”
A Lochaber MRT spokesperson said: “Following the success of search and rescue cats used by ski patrol in Canada, Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team has ordered two cats from Canada to use on searches on Ben Nevis.”
Here’s the CARCA YouTube video.
It’s a bit early to tell but we’re guessing the Lochaber team is probably aiming to have the cats in service early next month, some time around 1 April.
Susie Guizar
05 March 2015Like to see other episodes with buried victim holding mice during a training exercise. "Here, kitty, kitty!"
Paul B
06 March 2015Training cats, amazing!
Our cat trains us, still if it can be done Purrfect.
Danny b
06 March 2015Great idea! - especially as each cat could have up to 9 times the life expectancy of a dog - that would reduce overall training costs significantly.
Madcarew
06 March 2015How on earth can a moggy carry a big barrel of Brandy round its neck?...
Paul B
06 March 2015There will be many saved who are a whisker away from death, apparently even a scratch team can soon have the casualty on a litter and off to the rescue post.
Pedigree article.
Sheepy
06 March 2015If you are not feline so well and end up lion on your back these cats could be the missing lynx.
Mike
07 March 2015This is great news! It won't be long before there is an averlauncher installed on the roof of the CIC hut ready to deploy rescue cats to anywhere on the North face of the Ben; I feel safer already.
Tim
09 March 2015How does this work? Do they drag the cats around and listen for people's sneezes?
Duncan Boar, International Mountain Leader, European Alps
14 March 2015Not really that impressed by the skier flying downhill with a cat in a box. Just bring the cat in the same way you would if you used dogs - vehicle or helicopter...Its an interesting idea, I just don't like your transport method to the site.
crazy dog guy
22 June 2016cats scare me and make me sneeze
Katherine
26 January 2018Awesome idea, but I honestly think the launcher at the end was abusive. Think how scary that must be to the poor cat and at that distance it could be badly hurt or killed. D: If cats are so difficult to train they should be treated like the precious resources they are.