On Monday (13 October) Wellington SPCA was called out to Benjamin Street, Wellington to rescue a cat that reportedly had been stranded on top of an electric pole for three days.
The cat, about 5 months old, was classified as a stray and received treatment at the local SPCA before being put up for adoption.
The association’s Elizabeth Down said such incidents are quite common.
“Apart from being severely dehydrated he is still in a pretty good condition. Up to now we have not been able to determine whether he had indeed spent three days on this pole. This was the information we received from the caller.
“In most cases when cats find themselves in such situations it is because they were chased by another animal. It is only when they are up there that they realise just how high they have climbed.
“The idea that he could just get down, for cats always land on their feet, is not always that simple. In this case the feline in question was only 5 months and, frankly, they can still be severely injured even when landing on their feet.”
The public is appealed, in such situations, to contact their local SPCA or the fire department urgently.
Down said the cat in question, now named Benjamin, would be kept for seven days before being put up for adoption.
“With strays we always wait for seven days in case an owner comes along and claims them. In the meantime we hope to get the cat sterilised.”
She said Wellington SPCA does not have an in-house veterinarian and would outsource such services to a private practitioner in the area.
The sterilisation of cats can cost R600-R700. Down said there are several other costs involved to ensure the overall health and well-being of the animal in question.
Wellington SPCA cannot support animals in need without financial support.
The public can support the good work of the association by making a donation.
It can therefore be contacted on 021 864 3726 for more information.
