Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Dog finds missing cat in mine shaft
RSPCA animal rescue officer Stephen Findlow helped rescue Mowgli.
Daisy helped direct rescuers to missing 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

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.