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Cavity cat saved by dead pigeons Cavity cat saved by dead pigeons
(about 2 hours later)
A cat which nearly died after being trapped in a cavity wall will be reunited with its owners later. A cat which nearly died after being trapped in a cavity wall is to be reunited with its owners.
Six-year-old Maxie was rescued from Barnstaple Liberal Club by one of its members, Justin Barrow.Six-year-old Maxie was rescued from Barnstaple Liberal Club by one of its members, Justin Barrow.
The cat, which was dehydrated and extremely emaciated, has been looked after at the special care unit of North Devon Animal Ambulance (NDAA).The cat, which was dehydrated and extremely emaciated, has been looked after at the special care unit of North Devon Animal Ambulance (NDAA).
"He probably only survived by eating dead pigeons which were also trapped in the cavity," NDAA's Diana Lewis said."He probably only survived by eating dead pigeons which were also trapped in the cavity," NDAA's Diana Lewis said.
Maxie's still very thin, but he's got a clean bill of health Diana Lewis, North Devon Animal AmbulanceMaxie's still very thin, but he's got a clean bill of health Diana Lewis, North Devon Animal Ambulance
"People at the club had heard the cat miaowing for more than two weeks, but just assumed it was outside."People at the club had heard the cat miaowing for more than two weeks, but just assumed it was outside.
"Justin became concerned when the noise became quieter and more distressed, so he and a cleaner at the club investigated, found the poor creature and contacted me.""Justin became concerned when the noise became quieter and more distressed, so he and a cleaner at the club investigated, found the poor creature and contacted me."
Maxie's owners were traced last week, when Mr Barrow spotted a "missing" poster in the town and recognised the cat.Maxie's owners were traced last week, when Mr Barrow spotted a "missing" poster in the town and recognised the cat.
Tim and Helen Fowler said the cat had gone missing in October and the family had almost given up hope of finding him.Tim and Helen Fowler said the cat had gone missing in October and the family had almost given up hope of finding him.
'Reindeer puppies''Reindeer puppies'
"They contacted me and came to check it was really him," Mrs Lewis said. "Maxie's still very thin, but he's got a clean bill of health."They contacted me and came to check it was really him," Mrs Lewis said. "Maxie's still very thin, but he's got a clean bill of health.
"I'm so pleased because he'll be back with his family for Christmas, so it's a very happy ending.""I'm so pleased because he'll be back with his family for Christmas, so it's a very happy ending."
Mrs Lewis said the charity's special care unit was "choc-a-block as usual" in the run-up to Christmas with healthy, but unwanted pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and cockerels.Mrs Lewis said the charity's special care unit was "choc-a-block as usual" in the run-up to Christmas with healthy, but unwanted pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and cockerels.
"We get all the usual excuses about family's going away or visitors coming who're allergic, then they don't bother to come back," Mrs Lewis said. "We get all the usual excuses about families going away or visitors coming who are allergic, then they don't bother to come back," Mrs Lewis said.
The newest additions are five Collie-cross puppies, which were born in the unit a few days ago.The newest additions are five Collie-cross puppies, which were born in the unit a few days ago.
Mrs Lewis said: "Volunteers have named them Donner, Blitzen, Dasher, Dancer and Rudolph after Santa's reindeer."Mrs Lewis said: "Volunteers have named them Donner, Blitzen, Dasher, Dancer and Rudolph after Santa's reindeer."
The puppies will be rehomed in about eight weeks, when they have been weaned. Homes will be found for the puppies in about eight weeks, when they have been weaned.