Kitten stuck in car rescued by fire station staff

A "terrified" kitten trapped in a car was freed by staff at a fire station.

The tiny animal was taken to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service's headquarters by a motorist who heard crying from somewhere in the vehicle.

Cats Protection said even though there are no firefighters at the Exeter site, staff helped partially dismantle the car to free the kitten.

Amy Down, the service's enterprise data manager, helped coax her out and described her as "oily", a "bit dehydrated" and "completely overwhelmed by the whole thing".

She said: "We think she must have gone in through the engine... and I found a very small hole that took her into the space above the front wheel arch.

"She was so terrified that there was no way she was was going to come out herself, so the only option we had was to take apart the wheel arch from the underside."

Down took Jessie - named after the JESIP system used by emergency services - to the vets and cared for her until there was space at Cats Protection Honiton and Axe Valley branch.

The charity's Heidi Cruickshank, who is fostering the kitten, said: "Jessie was very fortunate as she could have remained stuck and starved or fallen from the car at speed."

She said the kitten, thought to be about seven weeks old, had probably been born outside and was not owned, as she was covered in fleas.

"She has had a lucky escape from the tough life of a homeless cat," Cruickshank said.

She added it was important for owners to neuter their cats to prevent unwanted litters and stray kittens.

Jessie will be advertised when she is ready for a new home.

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