Daredevil Cat
26/04/2010 It was the RSPCA, Fire and Rescue and a local vet to the rescue at the weekend as a trapped tom cat was discovered wedged between two garages in Tamworth.

Residents of Brambling in the town heard the cats cries during the night on Friday but it wasn't until Saturday morning that the cat was found stuck between two garage walls.

RSPCA inspector Penny Wieland, who was first on the scene, tried to get to the cat with a grasper but the helpless moggie was stuck in the centre of the gap. Penny called for the assistance of fire and rescue and a local vet from St Marys Way Veterinary Group.

Fire and Rescue initially used air bags to widen the gap but the cat was still stranded so a layer of internal brick, breeze block and external brick was knocked through with the relieved cat being pulled through the hole.

Remarkably the ginger and white tom only received minor injuries with some cuts and grazes, mostly on his paws. Posters have been put up locally by Penny to try and find his owner as sadly he was not microchipped.

The cat is now in RSPCA care at Coventry Animal Centre. Named Berkley by staff, he is estimated to be between six and ten years old. He is said to be quite content in the cattery which is not surprising after his frightening ordeal.

RSPCA inspector Wieland said: "Huge thanks go to Fire and Rescue, the local vets and local residents who all played a big part in the rescue of Berkley. How he got stuck in this position is anybody's guess but he would never have freed himself without human help. If only he had been microchipped then we could have had an even happier ending to this story as we could have reunited him with his owner straight away. As it is Berkley will remain in our care and if he is not claimed we will find him a nice new home to go to."

Anyone who believes Berkley to be their cat can call RSPCA Coventry Animal Centre on 024 7633 6616.