'Mission Impossible' rescue of uni cat up tree

University of Cambridge gardeners came to the rescue after a chaplain's cat got stuck.

Rory, a five-year-old golden and white tabby, belongs to the chaplain of Peterhouse College, but found himself in a spot of bother high up a tree in neighbouring Pembroke College.

Rory, who is an unofficial "chaplain and support cat" to students, had apparently been spooked by the Pembroke master's two dogs and decided it was safer to stay put.

A video of the rescue showed one gardener climbing a ladder while another hummed the theme from the Mission Impossible franchise as they brought the fluffy Siberian forest cat to safety.

Rory lives with the Reverend Jennifer Adams-Massmann in college accommodation.

She said he is a very adventurous cat and likes to visit both Pembroke and Downing colleges, where he is often found "surrounded by adoring students".

Rory has his own Instagram account where he is known as the "feline chaplain to the students of Peterhouse". Pictures and encouraging messages were posted to students in his name.

"He really is a student welfare support cat," said Ms Adams-Massmann.

"He does a lot of pastoral work, and we arrange events so the students can play with him and give him treats. He's very good at cuddling."

His recent misadventure in the Pembroke master's garden came about when the master's two dogs tried to "make friends" with the cat, "but Rory was having none of it" and retreated to the safety of the high branches, where he became stuck.

The master, Prof Rosalind Polly Blakesley, filmed the rescue, and could be heard on the video saying: "Mission Impossible — Pembroke style... Pembroke gardeners at their finest."

A college spokeswoman said: "Rory's a much-loved visitor to Pembroke's grounds... so our gardeners were more than happy to assist him when he got stuck up a tree. We hope to see him back in Pembroke soon."

Ms Adams-Massmann said this was not the first time Rory had become stuck in a tree, and previously "my poor husband had to climb up ladders".

"Rory can be a little clueless, but he is very sweet," she added.

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