Dog finds missing cat in mine shaft
RSPCA animal rescue officer Stephen Findlow helped rescue Mowgli.
A missing cat has been found thanks to the intervention of the owner’s springer spaniel.
Michele Rose, who lives in Harrowbarrow, Cornwall, had been searching for her missing cat Mowgli for several days with no success.
During this time, her dog Daisy regularly ran in and out of the woods near their home. Eventually, Ms Rose followed Daisy to an old mine shaft. Mowgli was meowing at the bottom of the 30-metre shaft.
The RSPCA was called and animal rescue officer Stephen Findlow attended late in the afternoon.
Mr Findlow said: “The owner had been missing the cat for four days and was constantly brought to the location by her dog, as it sniffed the cat out!”
On his first visit, it was decided that there weren’t enough hours of daylight left to attempt a rescue.
Mr Findlow returned the following morning with two teams from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, including rope specialists. The missing cat was safely brought up, where he was greeted by Baloo, another of the family’s cats.
Mowgli was taken to a local veterinary practice. Despite the long drop, he had no injuries, although he had lost 2kg during his time at the bottom of the shaft.
Images © RSPCA
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
