RSCPA Cat Rescue

[HollyJLancaster]

Thought I'd share this little story with you all as it seems that a lot of people have bad experiences with the RSPCA and it would be nice to share a good one!

About two days I was at the bus stop waiting for the bus to work when I noticed something funny hanging on a fence post by a horse paddock down the hill from where the bus stops, at first I thought someone had left their jacket there with the arms hanging down the fence but when I checked it out close up I realised it was a cat, it was a large black and white male, his head and neck were fully inserted into the post of the fence which was metal and completely hollow. The fence was about three inches wide and he had obviously slipped and lost his footing as his legs were hanging down either side with his paws twitching, at first I thought he might be spasming from a neck injury but found out he was just shaking, partly out of fear and from cold, he was very dirty and shivering, this was about 7am so no idea how long he had been there. He'd ripped some of his claws out trying to scrabble out and the rest were cracked and bleeding and the blood was dry so he was probably there a while, not many people use the footpath down there in the early morning. I could hear a reasonably strong meow so knew he still had a bit of energy, a few minutes after I got there and had tried to free him unsuccessfully he started trying to get loose again and lost his grip on the fence completely, fortunately I had my arms around him at the time so caught him, if I hadn't his neck would have snapped. I thought I would try ringing the RSPCA, I have had bad experiences with them before but thought it would be worth a try, the local branch was closed so I could only get through to one of the main branches which happened to be Sheffield - about three hours drive away! The lady on the phone could not have been nicer or more helpful, she said she would get an off duty inspector out ASAP, she kept calling me every five minutes or so to check on the cat. It took about 40 minutes for the inspector to get to me as I was well hidden off the sight of the road, by this point I was really getting distressed as I could hear the cat gasping for breath, their was no air holes and although I kept trying to move him to get air into him he was very fluffy and the fluff was sticking to his face. The RSPCA inspector was wonderful, she got him out in about ten seconds flat! I felt so awful because I had really tried to free him but he was so tightly wedged and I was scared of causing a neck or face injury. She was so lovely, even though I got her out of bed. She gave him a good check over and some food because he was so hungry, I had a lovely cuddle with him as well, after having held him for 45 minutes I wanted to meet him properly. She could have been annoyed that she had to come out even though he was free so quickly but she said I did the right thing and was genuinely so kind and concerned about this cat. Just wanted to share that story as it had a great happy ending!

[Lilith]

That's brilliant!

Yes, I too have had bad experiences with the RSPCA - very good to know this particular branch was helpful - good thing you found him and were there to help him too

[HollyJLancaster]

He was a lovely big boy, he obviously was well looked after because he had quite a belly on him and was very easy to handle, hope he got home safely to his people!

[bobbys girl]

A nice story for a change, well done you!

[Crewella]

It is lovely to hear a positive story for a change. Well done RSPCA, and well done you! He was a lucky cat that morning.

[HollyJLancaster]

Just wanted to add to this story, this morning me and the other half were on the way to work when we spotted 'Houdini' as we have now named him quite happily patrolling the paddock, strutting around the fence as if nothing had ever occurred! This time however he did have his paws firmly on the floor. He looked very pleased with himself though, typical cat!!

[Crewella]

That must have made you smile - it did me too! Thanks for the update.

[Lilith]

Lol - more like Who'd be Houdini!

(And for my next trick I'm going to escape from this fence post with the help of this nice lady and the RSPCA...)

Great to hear and hope the little guy has more sense in future!

[nannymcfee]

Thank you for the update,lovely story.

Bet now you will be on tenderhooks watching out for him when passing , wondering what the little tyke is up to next!