28 September 2023 , 15:26
766
0
Firefighters and animal shelter volunteers came to the rescue when two kittens became trapped on a dual carriageway bridge.
Members of the public raised the alarm when the pair were spotted on the bridge above a ring road in Leeds. Leaping into action the teams worked together to safely capture the kittens before bringing them down from the bridge using a pulley system.
Writing on Facebook, the team at Henry's Haven Cat Rescue said: “A massive thank you to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service without their help these kittens wouldn’t be safe now. We will never know how they ended up where they did but we are so happy both are safe.”
Also extending their thanks to the members of the public who got in touch to let them know about the moggies in distress, the team wrote: “Without you making contact the poor little ones would still be up there.” Naming the adorable kittens in honour of the firefighters who helped save them.
Kittens Samsper and Shellcott's names were inspired by the four firefighters who helped rescue themThe team added: “We have decided to name the kittens with a mix of all the four firefighters names who helped last night to rescue these babies. They will be called Samsper and Shellcott. Many have asked how they got up there. We will never know. We are just so happy they are in the safety of rescue.”
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We received a call from a member of the public at 18:51pm on Monday the 11th. This was regarding two kittens being trapped on a bridge on top of a dual carriageway in Leeds. A crew from Hunslet was on the scene at 19.05pm and successfully saved both kittens.”
Last week’s rescue wasn’t the first feline-related incident attended by the service in recent months. Fire crews from Odsal in Bradford were called to help rescue a cat on the roof of a house in August. When the team arrived, the cat jumped down a chimney pot, which turned out to be a sealed chimney stack.
The Technical Rescue Unit used high-tech cameras and demolition tools to pinpoint the cat near the chimney base before making a hole to allow the animal to escape to safety. Crew Manager Robin Hinsley said at the time: ”We are hoping the cat will take up a less adventurous pastime – perhaps indoor birdwatching?”
Webbox Pet Pic
We love a cute pet picture, as do our friends at Webbox.
And we all want to see your favourite snaps of your animal pals, so please send them in – the cuter the better. We’ll share as many as we can on this page, and in our brilliant newsletter too.
Border Collies Bracken and FreyaThis week’s picture of Border Collies Bracken and Freya is all about friendship.
Owner Peter Hargreaves, from Bolton, said: “ They’re the best of friends and always look out for each other, and they’re my best friends too.”
Send your snaps to [email protected] or tag our socials. Make sure to tell us a bit about your pet and what makes them special to you. We can’t wait to see them!
Crow sets up home with family of rabbits
Jake likes to cuddle with Chester the rabbit. (Lee McLean/SWNS)Meet Jake, the crow who has made himself at home with a family of rabbits. The noisy bird, who was rescued as a baby after being found on a busy road with an injured leg, was taken to Andrew and Suzanne Silverwood in Osset, West Yorks.
While the crow was only meant to be a temporary fixture, after settling into life with the couple and their five rabbits, Chester, Bella, Cilla, Marian and Mary, Jake has made himself at home.
In laugh-inducing clips shared online via his Facebook page ‘Jake the really loud crow’, the bird is seen in the rabbits’ hutch and hopping around the yard along with his floppy-eared friends.
(Lee McLean/SWNS)Andrew said: “He is so funny, he hops around with them. Jake has taken on the characteristics of the rabbits, and we know when he wants feeding because he lets out a big squawk.
"That's why we’ve named him Jake the really loud crow. He also squawks at them, like a chick would do to their mum. "We've never kept him in a cage, but he's just stayed. We have had so many people coming around to see him, everybody loves him."
Tell us about amazing pets and their people
Nominations are now open for the Mirror People’s Pet Awards with Webbox. We’re looking for cats, dogs and every pet in between who has saved and transformed lives, rescue animals who have overcome incredible odds, and pets who win the hearts of everyone they meet. There are also categories for people old and young who make a difference to animals’ lives. If your pet, or a pet you know, deserves an award you can find more information and nominate them at thepeoplespetawards.co.uk.
Tell us about your pets and send us your questions [email protected]