28 February 2024 , 16:05
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A crafty cat survived after getting trapped in a derelict house for two weeks by eating dead pigeons.
Four-year-old Felix went missing from her home in Hartlepool, County Durham, earlier this month. Her frantic owner Joanne Keir, 45, searched nearby streets and parks but there was no sign of her beloved pet. The black-and-white cat was finally discovered after Joanne heard the moggy 'miaowing' and followed the noise to a boarded-up house three doors down.
Joanne spotted Felix looking out of a top window and called the RSPCA who sent officers to enter the building on February 12. The resourceful feline had survived by munching on the remains of dead pigeons inside the property. Despite attempts to catch Felix, it took another three days before rescuers were able to coax her into a humane 'cat trap'.
The empty house where Felix became trapped (RSPCA/SWNS)A relieved Joanne was finally reunited with Felix on February 15. She said: "Felix must have been exploring inside the house and they boarded it up not realising she was inside. She'd been missing for 10 days at this point and I just couldn't believe it when I spotted her. I'd stopped eating, I was so stressed about her. I phoned the RSPCA as my last hope as I'd stopped hearing her cries and I was so worried about her. I'd be lost without Felix. It was a hard 10 days but I have her back now, that's all that matters."
RSPCA inspector Steph Baines entered the abandoned terraced house in Furness Street and laid a cat trap but Felix refused to be caught. Joanne added: "Felix was just so crafty - she worked out how to nick the meat from the trap and then dash out of the cat catcher in time so the food was gone but there was no sign of Felix. The RSPCA officer, Steph, had the patience of a saint." It is believed Felix was living under a gap in the floorboards and ate dead pigeons to survive.
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The RSPCA's Steph said: "As the house was derelict, there were lots of hiding places and we believe she was spending most of her time in the back bedroom hiding under the floorboards. After setting a trap and checking it for days we eventually caught her. Apart from being very hungry and dirty, she was otherwise fine and glad to be home. As we all strive to create a better world for every animal, happy endings like this really are the best part of the job."
Felix was found in this abandoned boarded-up house (RSPCA/SWNS)Despite the cat's two-week adventure, Joanne says Felix has settled back at home with their three other cats and one dog. She added: "She rules the roost here. It's as though she's never been away. I don't know what I would have done if it wasn't for the RSPCA. I honestly don't think we would have got her back without them."