Cat freed from car engine in Walsall after eight hour 'miracle rescue'
The RSPCA said it was a "complex operation"
An eight-hour rescue operation saw a severely injured cat rescued from a car engine in Walsall.
Nala, a blue coloured tortoiseshell, is now recovering at RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital after life-saving surgery during which she had to have her leg amputated.
The charity the trapped cat’s distress was discovered at around 8am on August 16 after a driver noticed every warning light illuminate on the dashboard of their Peugeot.
The driver cut the timing belt to try to release the cat but it was soon discovered she was much more trapped than first realised and the woman called West Midlands Fire Service for further assistance.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Cara Gibbon, who carried out the rescue with her fellow animal rescue officer, Rachel Ward, said: “The fire crew attended and tried everything in their power to help the poor cat but she was well and truly trapped, so they called the RSPCA for assistance.
“When we attended we could see the true damage of what had happened and feared the only way we could help Nala would be to ask a vet to attend and put her to sleep in situ.
“She was in and out of consciousness due to the severity of the pain but thankfully the lovely team at RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital dropped everything to rush to Nala's rescue.”
James Bradbury, a veterinary nurse who works on Peugeot cars in his spare time, attended with all of the equipment necessary to help retrieve Nala.
Cara added: “Nala's right forelimb and chest were trapped within the pulley system of the vehicle. James carefully removed this whilst I held her upright so she would not fall or sustain further injury.
"Once free, I carefully transferred her to veterinary surgeon Olivia Speight who was on hand and prepared to do anything, including amputation if necessary, to help save her life.
“Nala had sustained serious injury to her right forelimb and bone was exposed. Thankfully, the heat from the vehicle may have saved her life by cauterising the injury ensuring she did not bleed to death.
“She was given fluids, pain relief and rushed immediately to RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital where she is now receiving the best care.
"She is not out of the woods yet, as the injury on her chest is quite deep but she is a fighter and we are willing her to pull through!”