Fire Service support team turn rescuers as tiny kitten is saved from car
A group of fire station workers who usually leave dramatic rescues to their firefighters got a taste of the action when a tiny kitten became perilously stuck inside a car.
The usually desk-based colleagues were called upon to help when a member of the public made an unexpected detour and drove to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters at The Knowle in Clyst St George because they could hear a cat crying out from somewhere in their car.
As there are no firefighters stationed at the headquarters, members of the Digital & Data, HR, Operational Resourcing and Executive Support teams arrived to help and although parts of the car required dismantling, a tiny tabby-and-white kitten was eventually coaxed out from the front column behind the wheel arch.
The car was put back together and the kitten was appropriately named Jessie after JESIP, the framework rescue teams use to coordinate multi-agency working.
Jessie, who is thought to be around seven weeks old, spent the weekend being cared for by the service’s Enterprise Data Manager Amy Down who had previously adopted from Cats Protection Honiton & Axe Valley and got in touch with the volunteer team to help.
Heidi Cruickshank from the charity is fostering Jessie and says: “Thanks to the quick-thinking of the member of the public and the fire service team Jessie is safe, sound and thriving – with an incredibly loud purr.
"She was very grubby from her time inside the car and was covered in fleas, so we suspect she had been trying to fend for herself.
"She’s only young and ideally wouldn’t be away from her Mum yet so she’s getting lots of TLC and socialisation to ensure she’s used to household sounds and is ready for life in a home.
“Little Jessie was very fortunate as she could have remained stuck and starved or fallen from the car at speed.
"We’re fairly confident that Jessie is not owned but if anybody is missing a kitten, please do get in touch with proof of ownership.
"If she was born outdoors as we suspect, she has had a lucky escape from the tough life of a homeless cat.
"She’s doing very well in care and although understandably nervous during her first trip to the vet, soon calmed and now the sweet girl likes to sit on the lid of her litter tray in order to survey her world!
“Jessie reminds us why it’s so important to neuter your cats. It not only prevents unwanted litters and the risk of stray kittens struggling to survive but also gives both male and female cats a lifetime of health benefits.”
To find out more about the benefits of neutering and support that’s available visit www.cats.org.uk/neutering Jessie will be advertised on www.cats.org.uk/honiton when she is ready for a new home.
