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Cat rescued after two weeks in derelict house
Felix's owner believes the cat became trapped when the house was boarded up with her inside.
Felix became trapped when exploring the boarded-up property.

A four-year-old cat has been rescued by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), after she became trapped in a derelict house which she was exploring.

The feline, Felix, was discovered in the property after her owner heard her cries just three doors down from where she lived.

Felix had been missing for ten days when her owner, Joanna Keir, followed the sounds of her cries to the derelict house. She spotted the cat in the upstairs window of the property, and called the RSPCA to facilitate a rescue.

Ms Keir believes that Felix had been exploring the property, before it was boarded up while she was still inside. It is thought that she survived the ten days by hiding under the floorboards and eating dead pigeons.

RSPCA inspector Steph Baines was able to access the property with the help of the police, and set up a cat trap with food to coax Felix out.

However, Felix discovered a way to take the food and escape from the cat catcher. For a few days, the trap remained empty.

Eventually, with the use of a more sensitive trap, the RSPCA were able to catch Felix and reunite her with her owner.

Ms Baines said: “As the house was derelict, there were lots of hiding places and we believe she was spending most of her time in the back bedroom hiding under the floorboards. After setting a trap and checking it for days we eventually caught her. Apart from being very hungry and dirty, she was otherwise fine and glad to be home.

“As we all strive to create a better world for every animal, happy endings like this really are the best part of the job!”

Ms Keir, Felix’s owner, said: “It’s as though she’s never been away.

“I don’t know what I would have done if it wasn’t for the RSPCA. I honestly don’t think we would have got her back without them.”

Image © RSPCA

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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
RVC leads globally for Veterinary Science

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has retained its lead in Veterinary Science education in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

The college scored 100 for its Academic Reputation and increased its Employer Reputation to 91.7 points. It also maintained high scores for Citations per Paper and H-Index.

RVC says that its score recognises its students' employability and the institution's standing with employers. It also highlighted the impact that its graduates and alumni are making in the sector.

Stuart Reid CBE, president and principal of RVC, said: "We are dedicated to maintaining the teaching, learning and research that takes place at the RVC.

"I am delighted that the effort from all our staff and students has once again led to a great outcome in the QS rankings; it is a privilege we do not take for granted."

The full rankings can be found here.