NORWICH, UK – The cat was noticed by a cyclist Becky Steel on the bottom of a footbridge, just off Heigham Street, with the high river flowing past swiftly.
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She alarmed two other passersby, Danny Mealey and Stephen Hawkes , who were nearby preparing to try out their new boat in the river. They came really fast to successfully save the helpless cat and get it safely on the solid surface.
Mr Hawkes said of the rescue: “I only bought the dinghy a few days ago and we planned to try it in the river.
“At first the cat seemed to be afraid but in the end decided to come on the boat.”
After the rescue it was took by the RSPCA, who had been waiting to the river bank. They brought it to a nearby vets. A scan showed that the cat was microchipped and they found out that her name is Claudia, a three years old – who had been gone from her home for long 15 months.
Adrienne Hamilton, of Stafford Street, said she lost any hope of ever finding her cat. She thought that maybe her cat was attacked by fox.
“We moved about one month after Claudia disappeared but I used to go back to the neighborhood to look for her – about half a year ago I had to give up as I supposed she had either been attacked or someone else had taken her in,” she said.
“I couldn’t believe it when I realized that she had been found. It was heartwarming – she recognized me right away and made this cute meowing she used to do when she saw me.”
Mrs Hamilton said that Claudia now is feeling very well .
Watch the video of the rescuing operation:
Dramatic rescue of Claudia the cat from under Dolphin Bridge in Norwich.
This is the moment a cat was dramatically rescued after being stranded at the base of Dolphin Bridge in Norwich. Video courtesy of Tish Kerkham.
We love happy endings.
