A dramatic animal rescue operation unfolded in Birmingham after a tiny kitten's desperate cries from a sewer alerted a member of the public to her plight.
A Desperate Cry for Help in Handsworth
The incident, which took place in the Handsworth area last October, saw RSPCA animal rescue officer Cara Gibbon and inspector Boris Lasserre respond to an urgent call for assistance. The fire service had initially been alerted but were unable to reach the frightened feline as she retreated deeper into the tunnel network.
Officers Gibbon and Lasserre donned specialist dry suits for the challenging mission. They discovered the kitten was trapped within a sewage flow system, with evidence suggesting she had fallen from a significant height to get there. The animal had been stranded alone for a minimum of three days, with no mother in sight, and was described as being utterly terrified.
The Tense Rescue Operation
"This tiny little kitten was in a real fix and there was no way she could have got herself out without help," explained Cara Gibbon, recounting the fantastic rescue effort. The team worked for hours on the first day until fading light forced them to stop, returning the following morning to continue.
Remarkably, the kitten appeared to recognise her rescuers. "She was running towards us and calling out for help but was too scared to come to us," said Gibbon. The team set a humane trap, and their patience was finally rewarded when the kitten entered it, allowing them to bring her to safety.
Gibbon emphasised that the outcome could have been tragically different, stating: "She almost certainly would have perished if she wasn't so loud in the tunnel which alerted a passerby to her plight!"
A Happy Ending for Olivia Twist
The rescued kitten, affectionately named Olivia Twist by her rescuers, was immediately taken to the RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital for a thorough health check. Following her assessment, she was transferred to the care of the RSPCA Worcester Branch animal centre, where she was successfully nursed back to health and found a new, loving forever home.
Olivia's harrowing story and happy conclusion were later featured among the RSPCA's top rescues of the year, highlighting the vital work undertaken by the charity's officers every day. RSPCA superintendent Simon Osborne said: "Every single day throughout the year, our teams rescue, rehabilitate and rehome hundreds of animals with very special backgrounds and stories of triumph over adversity."
He added a call for public support, noting the charity's 200-year history of helping animals and urging animal lovers to turn their care into action to help rescue, heal and protect more creatures in need.
