As cat rescues go, it was not your average “stuck up a tree” scenario. But firefighters pulled out all the stops to rescue two terrified kittens that were trapped on a dual carriageway bridge.
The kitties, believed to be 12-week-old siblings, were spotted on the bridge above a busy ring road in Leeds at around 7pm.
Helped by animal shelter volunteers, they set traps baited with food and secured to the bridge after initial attempts to grab them on a ladder failed. The kittens were then brought to safety using a pulley system.
The team at Henry’s Haven Cat Rescue called it the “most unusual rescue we’ve had”, adding: “We’ll never know how they ended up where they did but we are so happy both are safe.
“A massive thank you to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, without their help these kittens wouldn’t be safe now.”
They also thanked the eagle-eyed member of public who raised the alarm, adding: “Without you making contact, the poor little ones would still be up there.”
The kittens have since been called Samsper and Shellcott – a mix of the four firefighters’ names who saved them.
Last week’s adventure came hot on the heels of another unusual cat rescue in West Yorkshire.
Fire crews from Odsal in Bradford were called to save a curious kitten from the roof of a house.
When the team arrived, four-month-old Murphy, who had been missing for two days, jumped down a chimney pot – which turned out to be a sealed chimney stack.
The Technical Rescue Unit used hi-tech cameras and demolition tools to pinpoint Murphy near the chimney base, before making a hole to allow him to escape to safety.
Unscathed, Murphy was later reunited with his owners.
Crew manager Robin Hinsley said: ”We are hoping the cat will take up a less adventurous pastime – perhaps indoor birdwatching?”
Jake crows on
Meet Jake, the crow who has made himself at home with a family of rabbits.
The noisy bird, rescued as a juvenile after being found on a busy road with an injured leg, was taken to Andrew and Suzanne Silverwood in Ossett, West Yorks.
Now, after settling into life with the couple and their five rabbits, Chester, Bella, Cilla, Marian and Mary, Jake has made himself at home.
In clips shared on the Facebook page, “Jake the really loud crow”, the bird is seen in the rabbits’ hutch, hopping around the yard with his floppy-eared friends.
Andrew said: “He is so funny, Jake has taken on the characteristics of the rabbits and hops around with them. 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 to 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.”
Webbox Pet Pics
We love a cute pet picture, and so 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 every week.
This 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 petclub@mirror.co.uk 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!
The People’s Pet Awards
Nominations are now open for the Mirror People’s Pet Awards with Webbox.
We're looking for cats, dogs and every type of pet in between who has saved and transformed lives, rescue animals who have overcome the odds, and pets who win the hearts of everyone they meet.
There are also categories for people young and old who make a difference to animals' lives. If your pet, or a pet you know, deserves an award, find out more and nominate them at thepeoplespetawards.co.uk.
Tell us about your pets and send us your questions petclub@MIRROR.co.uk