MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Terrified and drenched in water, trapped in a narrow stormwater pipe for some time, it was a joint operation between the Garden Route SPCA Mossel Bay branch and the Mossel Bay Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management (FRDM) that saved a skinny but unharmed ginger cat from a dangerous situation.
Heiderand residents Renier Stander and Keegan Bronte said they had been hanging some washing outside their home last Thursday afternoon, 16 July, when they thought they could hear meowing. After some investigation, Stander came to a stormwater drain, lifted the lid and saw a bedraggled and scared feline trapped in the pipe.
He made several attempts to coax the cat out, but without success.
The Garden Route SPCA Mossel Bay branch's animal carer, Johannes Mthobisa, said the residents did everything they could, including placing food inside the pipe, but the cat was wedged so tightly that it couldn't move forwards or backwards.
"There was simply no way out," he said.
Sisa Mtumbeza and Johannes Mthobisa with the bedraggled and frightened cat. Photo: Renier Stander
"When the call reached us, Sisa Mtumbeza [another animal carer] and I dropped everything and rushed to the scene. We looked into the pipe and could see the terrified cat staring back at us," said Mthobisa.
The SPCA called for the assistance of the fire department. The firefighters arrived and assessed the situation.
The municipality said by using a safe and low-risk rescue method, the crews introduced a controlled amount of water into the pipeline to gently encourage the cat to move towards an accessible outlet.
Mthobisa and Mtumbeza were there, ready to catch the exhausted cat as it finally emerged into safety.
Mtobisa said the relief was overwhelming for the residents, the SPCA team, and most importantly, "for one frightened cat whose nightmare had finally come to an end.
"Moments like these remind us that every life matters. No matter how small. No matter how difficult the rescue," he said.
"For the love of animals, we do it," added Mtumbeza.
The rescued cat likes head scratches. Photo: Chelsea Pieterse
The municipality added that incidents of trapped animals form an important part of the FRDM's broader commitment to serving the community. These rescues often require specialised rescue techniques, careful risk assessment and close co-ordination between emergency responders and animal welfare organisations to ensure the safety of everyone involved - the responders, animals and the public.
As for the cat's well-being?
Mossel Bay Advertiser visited the SPCA's Mossel Bay branch on Tuesday 21 July. The feline was seen to be cosy and comfortable, and enjoyed some attention from the SPCA staff. He will be ready for adoption soon.
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