VARS - Volunteer Animal Retrieval Specialists

VARS - Volunteer Animal Retrieval Specialists VARS - Volunteer Animal Retrieval Specialists is a Native and woman-owned nonprofit dedicated to rescuing animals from trees, and other hard to reach places.

We're an independent organization and are not affiliated with any non-sponsor forprofit business.

We were called out to Ceres today to rescue Mina, a cute little black kitty who had been missing for the past couple of ...
05/24/2026

We were called out to Ceres today to rescue Mina, a cute little black kitty who had been missing for the past couple of days. She was eventually located high up in a tree in a neighbor’s backyard, and her mom began searching for help to safely bring her down.

Before finding us, Mina’s mom contacted police non emergency, who referred her to animal services/animal control. She was then informed by the answering service that “a cat in a tree is not on the approved emergency list” and that they could not respond. She was later referred to County Wildlife, but was unable to reach anyone there. After continuing to search for help, she posted in the CCA - Ceres Community Awareness Facebook group, where she was referred to VARS - Volunteer Animal Retrieval Specialists.

After obtaining permission to enter the property, Mina was safely brought back down and reunited with her family. We’re told she will now be staying indoors permanently.

Unfortunately, we were not able to obtain permission to photograph or video the retrieval process itself, so the only photo we have is of Mina safely back home on the ground in her home.

If you’d like to support retrievals like this, please consider donating or sharing our organization to help spread awareness. Spreading awareness is often the first step in reducing the time, stress, and effort needed for families to find us and get help in the first place.

www.VARSca.com

Update for the Louis Park retrieval: the kitten is safely down from the tree and is now on the way to finally being indo...
05/22/2026

Update for the Louis Park retrieval: the kitten is safely down from the tree and is now on the way to finally being indoors and cared for.

Thank you to the individual who reached out for help, Ryan Shelly with Public Works for allowing access to the tree, and ACT Spay/Neuter Clinic for agreeing to take this little one in.

We’re very happy this rescue had a safe outcome!

If you’d like to support retrievals like this, visit our website to donate or share to spread awareness.

www.VARSca.com

We’re currently on our way to Louis Park in Stockton to rescue a 4 week old stray kitten that has reportedly been strand...
05/22/2026

We’re currently on our way to Louis Park in Stockton to rescue a 4 week old stray kitten that has reportedly been stranded in a tree since last night.

After speaking with Public Works, we were able to obtain permission to climb the tree in an effort to safely bring the kitten back down.

The person who reached out to us regarding the situation is currently working with a local organization, the ACT Spay/Neuter Clinic, that has agreed to take the stray kitten in once the rescue is complete.

We’re hoping for a safe and successful outcome and will provide updates as they become available.

If you’d like to support retrievals like this, visit our website to donate or share to spread awareness.

www.VARSca.com

Oakdale update, Merlin is down safely!This handsome 3 year old boy is officially out of the tree and back with his famil...
05/19/2026

Oakdale update, Merlin is down safely!

This handsome 3 year old boy is officially out of the tree and back with his family after quite the stressful adventure. He seemed very happy to finally have all four paws back on the ground.

Thank you everyone for the support and kind thoughts for Merlin tonight.

If you’d like to support retrievals like this, visit our website to donate or share to spread awareness.

www.VARSca.com

We’re in Oakdale, California, assisting with a rescue for Merlin, a 3 year old male cat who got outside for the very fir...
05/19/2026

We’re in Oakdale, California, assisting with a rescue for Merlin, a 3 year old male cat who got outside for the very first time today and ended up high in a tree in his front yard after becoming frightened.

After several hours outside and with no assistance available from the fire department, our team with VARS - Volunteer Animal Retrieval Specialists was called out to help.

Merlin is scared, overwhelmed, and far from his comfort zone, but we are onsite doing everything we can to safely bring him home.

If you’d like to support retrievals like this, visit our website to donate or share to spread awareness.

www.VARSca.com

UPDATE: Winter is safely down!!After spending 3 long days stuck high in a backyard tree in Modesto, Winter is finally ba...
05/18/2026

UPDATE: Winter is safely down!!

After spending 3 long days stuck high in a backyard tree in Modesto, Winter is finally back on the ground safe and sound with his family.

This rescue came with some added challenges due to nearby power lines, which previously prevented access, but our team was able to safely reach him and bring him home. Winter was definitely scared and tired, but he is now out of the tree and reunited with the people who love him.

Thank you to everyone who kept Winter in your thoughts and to his family for trusting us to help bring their baby home safely. Another kitty rescue with a happy ending!

If you’d like to support retrievals like this, visit our website to donate or share to spread awareness.

www.VARSca.com

We are currently on site in Modesto, CA preparing to rescue Winter, a 7 month old kitty who became frightened after gett...
05/18/2026

We are currently on site in Modesto, CA preparing to rescue Winter, a 7 month old kitty who became frightened after getting out of his home and climbed high into a tree in his backyard. He has now been stuck for 3 days.

The fire department was previously called out, however, due to nearby power lines, they were unable to safely access him. Thankfully, Winter’s family reached out to us and we are now getting set up to bring him down safely.

Winter is understandably scared, but we are hopeful for a safe outcome and will continue to update as the rescue progresses. Please keep Winter in your thoughts while our team works to get his back home where he belongs.

If you’d like to support retrievals like this, visit our website to donate or share to spread awareness.

www.VARSca.com

Update from Manteca!Princess is safely back on the ground and reunited with her family!After becoming stranded in the tr...
05/14/2026

Update from Manteca!

Princess is safely back on the ground and reunited with her family!

After becoming stranded in the tree yesterday following an accidental escape outside, we were able to successfully bring her down safely.

This was also our second rescue of the day, and we’re grateful we could help another indoor kitty make it back home where she belongs.

Thank you everyone for following along and supporting another successful rescue!

If you’d like to support retrievals like this, visit our website to donate or share to spread awareness.

www.VARSca.com

We’re currently on site in Manteca for another cat retrieval.This is our second rescue of the day as we continue respond...
05/14/2026

We’re currently on site in Manteca for another cat retrieval.

This is our second rescue of the day as we continue responding to back to back calls across the area.

We’re working to help a kitty who became stranded in a tree after accidentally getting outside. She is normally an indoor cat and has been stuck since yesterday.

The fire department was previously contacted, but the situation remained unresolved, so we’ve now stepped in to help bring her safely back down.

We’ll keep everyone updated as we make progress!

If you’d like to support retrievals like this, visit our website to donate or share to spread awareness.

www.VARSca.com

Update for the kitten in Turlock!The tiny 12 week old black kitten is safely back on the ground!After spending 4 days st...
05/14/2026

Update for the kitten in Turlock!

The tiny 12 week old black kitten is safely back on the ground!

After spending 4 days stuck in the tree without food or water, we were able to successfully bring them down and reunite them safely with their owner.

We also learned that another cat had apparently chased them up the tree, leaving the little one too scared to come back down on their own.

They’re now safe, exhausted, and very happy to finally be back where they belong.

Thank you everyone for following along and supporting another successful rescue!

If you’d like to support retrievals like this, visit our website to donate or share to spread awareness.

www.VARSca.com

Address

931 10th Street PMB # 234
Modesto, CA
95354

Telephone

+12096227530

Website

http://venmo.com/u/VARSca, http://VARSca.com/, http://paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/5637

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