On Thursday June 18, 2026, around 3:30 p.m., the heat was hitting the facades of a building in Vaucluse when meows began to echo in the street. On a third floor balcony, in full sun, an animal was stuck without shade or water.
His calls, more and more urgent, worried passers-by and local residents, who understood that it was not a simple whim. The residents immediately called the Vaucluse fire brigade, triggering an exemplary chain of aid.
A timely rescue in the middle of a heatwave
According to The Dauphiné Libéréfirefighters arrived around 5 p.m. with a large ladder to reach the third floor balcony. The procedure is done gently so as not to panic the exhausted animal. The neighbors hold their breath until the cat is picked up and lowered to the foot of the building, in the shade.
The young feline was very weakened by the heat when firefighters took him to a veterinary clinic. The team refreshes him with a lukewarm shower and places him under surveillance. The next day, the cat began to eat again, a sign that this rapid rescue undoubtedly saved it from a dramatic heat stroke.
Balcony in full sun: a real danger for cats
The site Place des Vétos indicates that a cat’s temperature can exceed 40.5°C during a heat episode.
The signals that should alert you are clear: rapid breathing, open mouth and severe lethargy.
In this case, the animal must be refreshed with warm water and then consult a veterinarian quickly.
Some tips for securing your balcony
Zooplus recommends a UV-resistant protective net, fixed to a frame, so that the balcony remains accessible without risk. For a young, agile cat, meshes of two to four centimeters are recommended, compared to five centimeters for a heavier animal. However, be careful with the grilling. It becomes a climbing support and increases the risk of falling.
The balcony must provide shaded areas and constant fresh water, as rainwater is not suitable.
For cats that go out anyway, when the balcony cannot be secured, it is better to prevent them from going out. If desperate meows alert you, the safe action is to call the firefighters, as in Orange, without attempting an acrobatic rescue.