BLITAR – Firefighters in Blitar carried out dozens of Cat Rescue Blitar operations after residents reported pets trapped in wells, rooftops, and trees across the regency.

Local fire crews say their duties go beyond extinguishing fires. Animal rescue, especially involving cats stuck in hard-to-reach places, has become a frequent request from the community.

Tedi Prasojo, Head of Fire Suppression, Rescue, and Infrastructure at the Blitar Civil Service Police and Fire Department, said most reports involve cats trapped in difficult locations.

“Most cases involve cats falling into wells or climbing onto roofs or trees and then failing to get down,” Tedi said.

Although cats are not dangerous animals, firefighters still carry out rescue operations. These evacuations protect the animals and prevent potential environmental problems.

Cats trapped inside wells often raise the biggest concern. If a dead animal remains inside a well, it can contaminate the water and create health risks for nearby residents.

“If a cat stays trapped in a well for too long, it could affect water quality and cause health problems,” Tedi explained.

For that reason, authorities urge residents to contact emergency services immediately if they find similar situations.

“People should report the incident as soon as possible so firefighters can handle it safely,” he said.

Data from the Blitar Fire Department shows that Cat Rescue Blitar operations reached 29 cases throughout 2025, reflecting how frequently firefighters respond to animal rescue calls from the public.

The department handled one rescue in January. The number then increased to two cases in February and remained the same in March.

Reports continued to rise in April, when firefighters handled four rescue operations involving trapped cats. However, the number dropped again in May with two cases and fell further in June with only one incident recorded.

Mid-year saw another increase in rescue calls. Firefighters responded to four separate incidents in July as more residents requested assistance for cats stuck in difficult locations.

August became the busiest month for Cat Rescue Blitar, with six reported incidents. Many of these cases involved cats trapped in wells, rooftops, or tall trees.

Interestingly, the department received no reports in September. However, rescue calls resumed later in the year, with firefighters handling two cases in October and one case in November.

Toward the end of the year, the number of incidents rose again. In December alone, firefighters conducted four cat rescue operations across several areas in Blitar Regency.

Officials say the data shows how firefighters increasingly respond to community calls for animal rescue, not just fire emergencies.