Success!!!
My husband went across to check the trap at 10.30, and didn't come back, so I went across to see what was happening. He'd got Tessa to come along the gully to him, but she wasn't confident to push her way up and out. We spent some time talking to her, and he was able to stoke her, but his arms weren't long enought to catch her and pull her out.
While we were there the owners of the locked garage came back. Her car had been there earlier, but she hadn't heard me knock. I explained the cat was still trapped, and that she probably hadn't seen the note I'd put through about the keys. She said she wouldn't have given me the keys anyway Never mind, he was great. He'd just flown back after serveral days away, but he opened up his garage, and we stopped the hole she was going through. Then, as he'd got a bit more arm length, he used the towels I'd brought across to trap her in a very small space, then reached in and pulled her out! My husband took her from him by the scruff, which she wasn't pleased about, but in that position she couldn't scratch or bite as they inched their way back to the ladder. I took her from then, in a VERY firm grip, and brought her straight home.
A lot of her fur was loose, whether from dehydration or the pulling out of the gap I'm not sure. She's had food, water and I brushed her well, because there was fibre glass insulation up there, and I didn't want her licking it off if she had any in her fur. Tessa wan't too happy with this, but once she was done I got her purring away with some very firm stroking, which help 'polish up' her coat.
She seems in pretty good condition considering all she'd had for 4 days was a tin of sardines and a bowl of water, but it probably helped that she was healthy in the first place. I was intending to take her to the vet tomorrow for a check over, although my husband said to wait and see how she seems, because as she hates the car journey, the stress might be worse for her if she doesn't seem to be suffering any ill effects. I'll reserve judgment until tomorrow.
It doesn't seem possible that I only brought her back through the door at 12.15, and now 30 mins later, she's curled up on the settee snoozing as if she hasn't a care in the world.
Needless to say, she will not be venturing out for several days until I am certain she is in a calm and happy frame of mind.
Tomorrow I need to go shopping for some thank you cards and bottles of wine for Ian and Val, and the other people, who I don't even know the names of.
Thank you all for your lovely messages and helpful suggestions, a virtual glass of your favourite tipple on me. It has really helped to share during a very stressful time, even though I've never met any of you personally yet.
Ann
My husband went across to check the trap at 10.30, and didn't come back, so I went across to see what was happening. He'd got Tessa to come along the gully to him, but she wasn't confident to push her way up and out. We spent some time talking to her, and he was able to stoke her, but his arms weren't long enought to catch her and pull her out.
While we were there the owners of the locked garage came back. Her car had been there earlier, but she hadn't heard me knock. I explained the cat was still trapped, and that she probably hadn't seen the note I'd put through about the keys. She said she wouldn't have given me the keys anyway Never mind, he was great. He'd just flown back after serveral days away, but he opened up his garage, and we stopped the hole she was going through. Then, as he'd got a bit more arm length, he used the towels I'd brought across to trap her in a very small space, then reached in and pulled her out! My husband took her from him by the scruff, which she wasn't pleased about, but in that position she couldn't scratch or bite as they inched their way back to the ladder. I took her from then, in a VERY firm grip, and brought her straight home.
A lot of her fur was loose, whether from dehydration or the pulling out of the gap I'm not sure. She's had food, water and I brushed her well, because there was fibre glass insulation up there, and I didn't want her licking it off if she had any in her fur. Tessa wan't too happy with this, but once she was done I got her purring away with some very firm stroking, which help 'polish up' her coat.
She seems in pretty good condition considering all she'd had for 4 days was a tin of sardines and a bowl of water, but it probably helped that she was healthy in the first place. I was intending to take her to the vet tomorrow for a check over, although my husband said to wait and see how she seems, because as she hates the car journey, the stress might be worse for her if she doesn't seem to be suffering any ill effects. I'll reserve judgment until tomorrow.
It doesn't seem possible that I only brought her back through the door at 12.15, and now 30 mins later, she's curled up on the settee snoozing as if she hasn't a care in the world.
Needless to say, she will not be venturing out for several days until I am certain she is in a calm and happy frame of mind.
Tomorrow I need to go shopping for some thank you cards and bottles of wine for Ian and Val, and the other people, who I don't even know the names of.
Thank you all for your lovely messages and helpful suggestions, a virtual glass of your favourite tipple on me. It has really helped to share during a very stressful time, even though I've never met any of you personally yet.
Ann
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