Just an update....
Day 6. I surrender.
I have taken all the ornaments (what's left of them) off of the tree. I took down the lights and replaced most of the branches... some are still missing. I found the angel, bless her crooked-winged-little heart. She seems to have survived the ordeal, but may never be quite the same again.
I hung some of the nice ornaments on a few wreaths in the dining room. And now the cats are staying out of the tree. GO figure.