After a total of 10 hours of constant digging, searching, listening and strategising, the team managed to free the cat.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (23 April 2022) – The KwaZulu-Natal floods have not only affected the people in the area, but many organisations have also been receiving calls for animals who are in need of being rescued, and this story about a 10-hour cat rescue is bringing all the feels.
The Phoenix Animal Care and Treatment Organisation shared the community post.
Around midday on the 19th of April, S.T.A.R.T (a Non-Profit Organisation that forms a synergy between private and volunteer emergency organisations) received an urgent call for assistance in the Phoenix area. The caller was desperate for help as she had identified a cat that had been washed into a stormwater drain. The caller had been in contact with the SPCA and Fire Department, who had tried their very best to access the cat but were sadly unsuccessful.
“Out of desperation, the caller did not give up on contacting our team, who was immediately activated to the home. On arrival, the team could hear the faint cries of the cat and using a specialised camera system kindly supplied by the SPCA inspector who met with the team on the site; they managed to identify an estimated area where the cat could be. A plan was put in place, and the team tried to locate the pipe closest to the cat’s location.”
Unfortunately, the closest pipe was under another house, which meant that the paving would need to be dug up. The first attempt to rescue the cat was not successful due to the location. This did not detour the team, and a decision was made to return the following day to continue their search and rescue operation.
On Wednesday the 20th, the teams returned to the residence and again, using specialised equipment and looking at the plans for the property, they continued to dig. The team was clear that they would not be leaving until the cat was free.
“After a total of 10 hours of constant digging, searching, listening and strategising, the team managed to free the cat. As the pipe was opened up, the cat had enough energy to shoot off into the neighbouring garden.”
The Phoenix Animal Care & Treatment (PACT) set up a trap in an attempt to catch the cat. This was a success, and she was caught overnight. PACT took her to a local vet to have her checked over and treated. The intention is to have her sterilised and rehomed when she is strong enough.
“A very big well done to everyone who was involved and for not giving up on this beautiful girl.”
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