I grew up in Scottsdale ( the poor end of town) and rattlesnakes are not unknown in the area. I still live in the state in a small town surrounded by lower sonoran desert.
I the thirty years I have lived in my home I have seen about four rattlesnakes in the yard. Every one was being played with by the cat. I am convinced the cats bring them in from the wash nearby. Its amazing to watch, as fast as the snakes are, the cat is quicker. It is the biggest reason I keep a cat or two around.
I suspect if she had not tried to “save” her cat, both she and the cat would have been fine.
I grew up in Tucson on the edge of town (just inside city limits) and have NEVER seen a rattler anywhere NEAR the house - and our area had significant desert around it.
I think I saw one ONCE in Redington Pass.
Of course, I shot him. Gotta love them .22’s.
It’s the desert, ya know?
Them kinda critters live there. Best thing to do...off them.
And don’t feel bad about it. They’d return the favor.
I live a few miles from this location now. However I am in an established neighborhood that’s been here 25 yrs. No snakes, no scorpions, no nasty anything/ Anyone who lives near the city borders and next to a desert preserve are going to run into these things . I once lived next to the desert and would have scorpions, tarantulas and king snakes on my patio plus a pack rat or two. Would see havelina and coyotes, but no rattlers