A RESCUE hampered by wind and rain was staged in Okehampton last week, as fire fighters battled atrocious conditions to save a stranded cat. Garfield, a nine month old ginger cat belonging to Lisa and Andy Mackintosh of the Exeter Arms, Okehampton, went missing from home on the night of Sunday, July 6. At first his owners were not unduly worried as Garfield has an adventurous nature and is often out for long periods. This all changed when they first heard the crying. They could hear the young cat's cries for help from the garden of the Exeter Arms the next day, but no one could find out where they were coming from. Then, in the 20 metre fir tree looming over the pub, a flash of ginger was seen. Garfield had found his way to the top of the tree and was well and truly stuck. Lisa called Okeford Veterinary Centre, who advised her to call the RSPCA. However, the RSPCA's policy is to wait for two days before sending out one of their animal collection officers. In a statement, the RSPCA said: 'Sometimes trying to rescue the cat can scare it and force it even higher up the tree. 'We usually leave it for 48 hours. If a cat has got up there it will usually come down of its own accord.' By Wednesday Lisa was frantic with worry. She had spent much of the night, in torrential rain, trying to coax Garfield down. Further calls were made to the RSPCA and collection officer for Devon and Cornwall, Peter Ferris, arrived on the scene at 1pm to find Garfield high in the branches, swaying in the wind and getting wetter by the minute. After assessing the situation, Mr Ferris placed a call to the fire service and vehicles were immediately dispatched from North Tawton — one of only ten fire stations in Devon with rescue team status. They soon had a ladder in position to mount the rescue operation. Fire fighter Bryan Evans scaled the ladder and brought Garfield to safety, concluding an hour long rescue. A sodden Garfield was reunited with a delighted Lisa and taken to Okeford Vets for an immediate check up. He was released later that night to his extremely relieved owners. Andy Mackintosh added: 'He's doing fantastic now. 'The vet let him home immediately, he was like a drowned rat. 'He's laid off the climbing for now but has still managed to bring us a mouse back. 'Big thanks to everyone involved, the fire service, the police, the RSPCA and the vet.'