A kitten is recovering with the rest of her family after the broken neck of a glass jar got stuck around her neck.
A stray cat and her three kittens had been living in a Lambeth garden and a local resident had been keeping an eye on them.
He was very worried when he spotted one of the kittens – thought to be around six-weeks-old – with the dangerous, sharp glass hoop stuck tight around her neck.
The kitten was rescued by RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Paige Havlin on 19 August, and later named Mason.
Paige said: “Battersea Dogs & Cats Home contacted us for advice about the kitten. She’d got the glass jar stuck on her head and when it was broken it left a sharp, jagged rim digging into her neck.
“I went along and helped the member of the public who had been feeding the cats to catch the kitten.
“I took the cats to Battersea and, thankfully, with two pairs of hands, we were able to carefully wiggle the kitten’s legs through the glass jar and then slide it over her neck and off.
“She had a few superficial cuts but, miraculously, no major injuries.
“We caught mum and her other littermates and took the whole family into Battersea where they’ve been recuperating ever since.”
Fortunately, the cats are now doing well – and the member of the public who sounded the alarm has been praised.
Grace Oliver, Cattery Team Leader at Battersea, added: “Mason and her littermates are recovering remarkably well following their frightening ordeal. Battersea’s vets fully assessed the family when they arrived at our London centre and found that, amazingly, Mason had suffered no significant injuries.
“We’re grateful to the member of the public who first alerted us to Mason’s distress. Their quick thinking allowed our team to take swift action and work with the RSPCA to bring the whole family safely into Battersea’s care.
“Our feline experts have since been working to build the kittens’ confidence, giving them the time and space they need to settle and thrive.”
Mama Moustache and Baby Moustache (black tuxedo female) are on their way to starting their search for a new home. Mason and Kilner (black male) are a little more nervous and will be searching for an alternative home where they can ‘embrace the freedom of an outdoorsy life’ with a job to do, possible working on a farm.
Stray cats are incredibly resourceful and are generally happy living wild. Charities like the RSPCA and Battersea do not generally take in healthy stray cats.
However, if the cat is sick, injured or in immediate danger then the charities would ask members of the public to see if they can locate and notify an owner.
If not, they may be able to catch or trap them and take them to a local vet for urgent help. In emergencies, or where a sick or injured cat cannot be caught, people can report the cat to the RSPCA online: rspca.org.uk/reportaconcern.
