A Kansas cat’s attempt to dodge a trip to the vet took an unexpected turn when the escape artist got stuck inside a reclining chair, prompting firefighters and police to step in for a careful rescue. The cat was safely freed, unharmed, and — despite all the drama — still made it to that obviously dreaded annual checkup.

The feline was in a hairy situation when trying to hide inside a mechanical recliner to avoid the veterinary visit, but ended up trapped in the chair’s mechanism instead. Firefighters were able to cut through the chair and bring the cat out safely with help from animal control and local police.

For animal lovers, the story is a reminder of both how clever and how chaotic our animal companions can be — and how quickly first responders can come together to help an animal in distress.

If you’d like to enjoy another article about first responders coming to the aid of cats, read about the felines who received life-saving care from compassionate rescuers.