VIDEO: Dusty the wheelie bin moggie back to her playful self
It's bin a rough old week for Dusty, but here she is looking a picture of health after being rescued by firefighters.
The Express & Star told yesterday how curiosity almost got the better of the tiny five-week-old kitten whose head was spotted poking out from a bin in Wolverhampton by a member of the public who called the RSPCA to begin the rescue effort.
But today, she was described as 'happy as anything' by vets.
Dusty was freed after a fireman from the West Midlands Fire Service clambered into the bin, on Hailes Park Close, Parkfields, on Tuesday.
He steadied the distressed moggy while the RSPCA used a plastic collar smothered in lubricant to help release it.
RSPCA inspector Steve Morrall said: "When I arrived, I saw the head of the kitten poking out from this bin - it was so unusual and I have never seen anything like it before.
"It is very likely she was looking for food in the bin, but panicked when the bin was being emptied and got herself stuck.
"The kitten was so stuck that it became obvious I would need extra assistance from West Midlands Fire Service. They were absolutely brilliant."
It is not known if the kitten belongs to anyone – and it is thought possible she might have been born a stray.
The kitten was freed using a small plastic collar smothered in lubricant.
Firefighter Tony Southall from Wednesbury Fire Station said crews had avoided using cutting equipment as they did not want to distress the cat. It took around five minutes to free her and she was sedated by a vet to stay calm.
Inspector Morrall said: "It was a very delicate operation and we knew we had to be extra careful as it could have gone seriously wrong. A fireman had to get into the bin to keep the kitten steady from the inside.
"We do not know how long the kitten was there for and she was understandably distressed. A vet was also on the scene to ensure that the kitten could be sedated if required."
The kitten, who was been named Dusty, was given a full check-up at a vets, where - apart from a low temperature - she has been given a clean bill of health.
She is now in the RSPCA's care and will be available for rehoming soon.
