The RSPCA is trying to trace the owner of a cat who was rescued after getting trapped between two walls in a south London home.
The black male cat, now named Flint, was saved after spending around 10 hours wedged between an external wall and an inner wall of a neighbouring property in Horseshoe Mews, Acre Lane, Brixton.
A local resident had heard the sound of continuous meowing and realised that the cat was in the wall.
She immediately called the London Fire Brigade and firefighters used cutting equipment to break through solid masonry and free Flint, who was then handed over to RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Yalina Blumer on Monday, September 9.
Yalina said: “The resident who called London Fire Brigade thought the cat might be stuck inside a cavity wall, but then realised he’d squeezed into a five inch gap between the walls and there seemed little hope of getting him out.
“The poor thing was wedged in there for around 10 hours before the fire officers arrived, but they were able to remove some of the bricks and created two large holes in the outer wall so they could reach the cat.
“He was dehydrated and couldn’t stand on his legs at the time, so I took him to a local vet and he’s now receiving excellent care at RSPCA Finsbury Park Hospital.”
Chrissy Ellis at Finsbury Park Hospital said: “Flint is doing really well after his ordeal and the vet is happy with his progress since he has been on pain relief.
“Fortunately, there are no issues with his limbs. He's a sweet, timid boy who loves a head stroke and lots of TLC.”
Flint appears to have been well-cared for, though is not microchipped and the RSPCA is keen to locate his owner.
The RSPCA also expressed gratitude to the LFB officers for their efforts in rescuing the cat.
The RSPCA often collaborates with emergency services in situations like this, where animals are trapped in hard-to-reach places.
In some cases, fire crews use these rescues as training exercises, though emergencies involving people always remain the priority.
Anyone with information about Flint or his owners is urged to contact the RSPCA appeals line at 0300 123 8018.
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