A cat that had been missing for over three weeks has been dramatically rescued after being found trapped between a wall and a kitchen unit — nearly three miles from her home.
Celeste, a two-year-old tabby cat from Wembley, went missing from her home last month. A resident on Wood Road in Harlesden realised a noise he’d heard four days earlier was a cat meowing, trapped between a wall and kitchen unit. After calling out a plumber, on 8 July the RSPCA was contacted for help.
Animal Rescue Officer Eve Mannings responded to the call. She said: “The cat was hissing and growling at first. But she immediately started meowing when she realised I was helping her. Cats can squeeze into tight spots but it is a mystery how she came to be here.
“The plumber dismantled part of the wall and kitchen to reach her—and has very kindly offered to repair everything free of charge!
“When I got to her, she was extremely skinny and had a low body condition score. I scanned her for a microchip and discovered that she was Celeste, a missing cat reported more than three weeks ago. The location she disappeared from was nearly a 15-minute drive away.”
Celeste was taken straight to her registered vet for a check-up and was soon reunited with her owner, Dianne. Sadly, Celeste has a broken paw but is now recovering at home. Dianne said: “I am so grateful I was reunited with Celeste—she’s my baby.
“It’s thanks to the resident who found her and the RSPCA. I’m truly grateful. I also really appreciated the advice and support from Eve after we were reunited.
“If it wasn’t for the microchip, I would never have seen Celeste again. I strongly urge all cat owners to make sure their pets are microchipped!”
Since 10 June 2024, it has been a legal requirement in England for all owned cats over 20 weeks old to be microchipped and for their details to be kept up to date. Owners found not complying may face fines of up to £500.
The RSPCA continues to stress that microchipping is the most effective way to ensure lost, stolen, or injured cats can be reunited with their families.
“We’re so glad the plumber called us—it could have been a very sad ending otherwise,” said Eve. “Thankfully, it’s a happy one.”
