Appeal to reunite cat who hitchhiked from Barnsley to Wakefield with owners
Matilda hitched a ride from Barnsley to Wakefield inside a car engine
Last updated 11th Feb 2026
An animal charity has launched a mission to reunite a cat with her owner - after she made an unexpected 15-mile journey under a car bonnet from Barnsley to Wakefield.
The black-and-white cat, dubbed Matilda, is thought to have climbed into the engine bay while the car was parked at Barnsley College’s Honeywell site.
A day later, the car owner discovered the feline after noticing her dog persistently investigating the vehicle.
Upon opening the bonnet, the cowering moggy was found and subsequently taken to the Cats Protection centre in Gildersome for care.
Estimated to be around five years old, Matilda sustained minor burns to her paws but has begun healing quickly with the centre’s assistance.
Elizabeth Day, Deputy Centre Manager at Cats Protection said: “Matilda’s suffered minor burns on her paws from the heat of the car engine, but these have healed very quickly.
"She isn’t in the best condition, with runny eyes that need bathing and needing extensive dental treatment, which we were able to provide to alleviate her discomfort.”
The centre is encouraging anyone who may recognize Matilda or believes they may be her owner to get in touch.
If no owner is located and she is determined to be a stray, Cats Protection will continue to care for her and, eventually, secure a loving new home.