This is a tale as old as time: a damsel in distress, a daring rescue, and a hero we didn’t know we needed. The only difference here is that in this story, the damsel is a mother cat named John.
Yes, John is a girl. Yes, the story behind her name is quite lengthy.
John is a British black cat with a non-traditional name. She was found on November 23rd, with her head poking out from one end of a drainpipe, unable to free herself. The Clevedon Fire Brigade was called to the scene to address this unique challenge.
On Facebook, they wrote: “At 9:55 am this morning, Clevedon staff received a call, not for a cat stuck in a tree, but a cat stuck in a drainpipe!”
Firefighters arrived with a ladder, tools, and compassion, assessing the situation on site. Their solution? Cut out a section of the pipe with John still trapped inside, deemed the “simplest, least painful choice”.
Released from the confines of the garage, John still entangled in the pipe around her neck, her defiant gaze unwavering. She was then promptly rushed to the expert hands of the Vets4Pets Clevedon veterinary team, sedated so the remaining pipe could be safely removed from her neck.
The veterinary team administered oxygen therapy and placed an intravenous catheter to ensure John’s comfort during the procedure. After the pipe was precisely removed, John emerged unscathed, ready for some cuddles. She was soon reunited with her relieved owners.
The Clevedon Fire Brigade’s Facebook post about the incident garnered laughter and likes online, particularly due to the cat’s name. The firefighters acknowledged the curiosity of it all, stating, “John (yes, John) the cat managed to wedge herself in the garage’s drainpipe.”
The veterinary team also shared this story on their social media, describing how John’s arrival led to an “unexpected turn of events” that day. They emphasized the collaboration with the fire brigade and expressed relief at John’s well-being after her ordeal.
According to her owner Cassie, John safely returned home and enjoyed a well-deserved nap after a “nail-biting morning”.
While the reason behind her unconventional name remains a mystery, one thing is clear: John’s story has left a lasting impression on all involved.