Cat trapped in small gap between two walls has lucky escape

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The RSPCA and fire service rescued a cat which had become trapped between two houses in Heywood.

Simba the cat had got himself wedged in a narrow gap between two houses in Hartford Avenue in Heywood on Thursday 8 November and was crying loudly.

A neighbour realised the moggy was in distress and contacted the RSPCA for help.

The ginger tabby cat had managed to fit in the gap but once he turned around he became wedged and was unable to move forwards or backwards.

RSPCA Animal Collection Officer (ACO) Emma Pollard and Insp Nichola Waterworth attended to help. Due to the very small gap they were unable to reach Simba despite ACO Pollard sticking her arm down the gap and sawing a part of the fence away to gain better access. The officers then requested assistance from the fire and rescue team who would be able to remove some bricks from the building to free up space. However, in a burst of adrenaline, Simba managed to move a bit closer and the firefighters from Heywood Community Fire Station were able to pull him free.

ACO Pollard said: “The poor cat was well and truly stuck in the gap and was crying very loudly. At one point, I feared we wouldn’t be able to free him. When he was finally pulled free he was very subdued so we took him to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for a check-up where he was given the all-clear. Janine Dawson, the neighbour who had called us let his owner know what had happened and she came to collect him from the hospital that same evening.

“It’s great when a rescue like this has a happy ending and we are able to reunite a much-loved pet with their owner.

“We’d like to thank Heywood Community Fire crew for their assistance. We always ask members of the public to contact us for animal rescues in the first instance and if we require assistance then we can contact the fire services ourselves.”

Sania Anwar, Simba’s owner, owner said: “I work during the day and normally when I come home from work and park on the driveway Simba always comes running up to meet me but he didn’t that day. In fact, I’d popped back home a couple of times in the day to grab a few things and he hadn’t been there so I knew something was wrong. When I got back home that evening, Janine came out to meet me and I knew straight away there would be something wrong with Simba.

“I’m so grateful to her and those who rescued him. Simba is absolutely fine now, he’s back out exploring as normal again but hopefully he won’t get into anymore trouble.