However, flight is the general rule because a dog is much stronger than a cat, and it stands a much better chance at survival by escape. Cats are highly intelligent. They know numerous hiding places and the most accessible escape routes in their territories. If they are suddenly confronted, they will know where to go. If a small hiding place is not immediately available, they will seek a high place because cats know dogs cannot climb.
Trees remain a natural choice for cat escape unless they are in a desert or a deforested area.
But a cat up in a tree does not always warrant a rescue. The cat might have a specific purpose for its aerial adventure, and a human rescue might be the last thing it wants. Sometimes a cat will climb a tree to get onto a roof or other structures. A roof is a safe place for a cat because it's away from the dog's ground domain. A roof can also provide rich hunting grounds for nesting birds and rodents entering houses, like rats and squirrels.